1.04 cu. ft. (2 document boxes) (2 microfilm reels)
Type:
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Manuscripts
Microfilms
Date:
1916-1946
Descriptive Entry:
Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945), a pioneer in modern rocket research, was aided by the Smithsonian Institution at an early and crucial point in his work. This
collection consists of copies of letters from Goddard to the Smithsonian Institution.
Dr. Harold F. Stimson, described as a long-time friend of Goddard's, corresponded with Esther Goddard and collected a number of press clippings and other mentions of Dr. Goddard in various publications. This collection consists of the materials he gathered including a copy of the article "The Early History of Rocket Research" by Joseph W. Siry (reprinted from the November/December 1950 issue of The Scientific Monthly) signed by Esther Goddard; a program from the dedication of the Goddard Power Plant in Indian Head, Maryland dated June 25, 1957; eight issues of Report from Clark University (ranging in date from October 1965 to May 1969) with articles about the Robert Hutchings Goddard Library or the University's collection of Goddard's papers; correspondence relating to the establishment of a memorial to Goddard on Clark University's campus; a program for the groundbreaking ceremony for the Robert Hutchings Goddard Library dated June 4, 1966; a brochure for the library and a bookslip from one of their publications; three issues of the library's newsletters (ranging in date from March 1966 to spring 1971); Clark University's Report of the President 1964-1965 which includes an update on the Goddard Library program; the program from Clark University's Robert Hutchings Goddard Commemorative Convocation on October 12, 1966; a Clark University fundraising report from 1971-1972 listing Mrs. Robert H. Goddard as a donor; a typewritten report on the Goddard Rocket Research Exhibit at Clark's Department of Physics; the winter 1971 issue of Clark Now: The Magazine of Clark University which contains mentions of the Goddard Library; five typewritten pages of biographical data on Dr. Goddard; a Christmas card and signed photo of Esther Goddard inscribed to the Stimsons; and 17 clippings from various newspapers that mention either Robert or Esther Goddard (ranging in date from 1959-1982).
Biographical / Historical:
Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945), rocket propulsion pioneer, graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1908 and received his doctorate while a professor of physics at Clark University. He served a research fellowship with Princeton University from 1912 to 1914 and there began to develop his theories of rocket action. Returning to Clark, he conducted experiments that culminated in a 1916 report to the Smithsonian Institution, published as A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes. With the advent of World War I, Goddard began work at the Mount Wilson Observatory of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, developing various innovations such as reloading mechanisms for artillery and a forerunner of the bazooka. By 1920, Goddard had turned his attention to liquid fueled rockets and by 1926 had accomplished the world's first flight of a liquid fuel rocket. In 1930, Goddard moved to Mescalero Ranch near Roswell, New Mexico, continuing with his rocket experiments until 1932. After a return to Clark and laboratory testing, Goddard came back to Roswell and in 1936 published Liquid Propellant Rocket Development. In 1940 he was made Chief of Navy Research on jet-propelled planes.
Provenance:
Julia Appel, Gift, Unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of copies of material gathered or written by Milton Lehman for his authorized biography of Robert H. Goddard, This High Man, 1963. The collection contains the following: a typed transcript of Goddard's diary, 1898-1930; a typed transcript of Goddard's "Red Idea Notebooks" (1-10) covering the years 1924-1942; Goddard's patents and patent correspondence between Goddard and Charles T. Hawley, 1926-1945; and typed interview notes with Goddard's contemporaries, including: Hermann Oberth, Hugo Gernsback, G.R. Gladding, L.A. Gore, Charles T. Hawley, Andrew G. Haley, George Bode, Rear Admiral Calvin C. Bolster, Homer A. Boushey, Col. Henry Breckenridge, Dr. William Cole, Richard B. Dow, Rear Admiral Delmer Fahrney, Harry Guggenheim, Al Campbell, Clarence Hickman, Charles Lindbergh, Edward Pendry, and Inez Powers.
General:
NASMrev
Provenance:
Mildred Lehman, gift, 1997, 1997-0040, unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
This collection consists of the following materials: 1) Dr. Goddard's handwritten university note book, entitled 'Partial Differential Equations'; 2) Seven publications by Dr. Goddard related to railway and rocket topics from 1909 to 1938.
Biographical / Historical:
Born in Worcester, Mass., Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945) received his B.A. from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 1908 and received his M.A. in 1910 and Ph.D. in 1911 from Clark University. Dr. Goddard, trained as a physicist and engineer, is recognized as a space pioneer due to his concepts of rocket propulsion systems.
General:
NASMrev
Provenance:
Mrs. Robert Goddard, transfer from NASM Division of Space History, 1997, 1997-0061, unknown
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
