The Goddard Rocket Researches: A Photographic Record [Individual Photographs]

'The Goddard Rocket Researches: A Photographic Record' is an annotated photo album covering Robert H. Goddard's work and experimentation with rocketry. It was assembled and curated by Esther Goddard sometime after her husband's passing in 1945.

The vast majority of these photographs were taken by Esther herself. Esther was an avid camerawoman and photographer, and during Robert's lifetime she meticulously documented his career in rocketry -- from experiments and instruments to processes and workspaces. In his book Rocket Man: Robert H. Goddard and the Birth of the Space Age, David A. Clary states that Esther "became a pioneer in photographic documentation of technology, taking pictures of tests and flights--including deriving stills from movies--and illustrating Robert's notes with detailed photographs of everything manufactured in the shop and assembled into rockets". Esther also shot 16mm film footage when Robert bought her a movie camera in 1926. That footage can be seen here.

Following Robert's death in 1945, Esther dedicated the rest of her life to relentlessly crafting and promoting the legend and reputation of Robert’s life and work. This element of careful curation can be seen in this photo album, both in its construction and the classification system present in the bottom right of each photograph.

This page contains each individual photograph in the album, which can be seen in its entirety here.

Photographs were scanned at 400dpi.

Sources consulted for the descriptions in this series include Esther's photo album annotations, The Papers of Robert Goddard, and Rocket Man: Robert H. Goddard and the Birth of the Space Age by David Clary.

These images are the property of Clark University and are intended for non-commercial use. Images may be copied for research, teaching, personal, or any fair use as defined by U.S. copyright law. Images may not be altered in any way. Users of these images are asked to acknowledge Clark University. For questions or further information about usage rights, please contact archives@clarku.edu

All collection descriptions written by Katie Stebbins, Digital Projects Librarian.

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[201] Barograph and steel box used in flight of March 6 1938

[202] Unreeling cable to shelter 1000 feet away from V-8 Ford truck, March 1938

[203] View looking up the tower just before flight of March 6 1938

[204] Rocket in flight, March 6 1938

[205] After the flight of March 6 1938

[206] Looking along the rocket from the rear with part of casing removed, March 17 1938

[207] Rocket in flight, March 17 1938

[208] Official NAA barograph, mounting, and parachute, April 20 1938

[209] Modified barograph support using rubber bands, April 20 1938

[210] Robert Goddard with relay-operated camera, April 1938

[211] Fused wire releases and switches for releasing rocket, May 26 1938

[212] Taken by relay-operated camera, rocket beginning flight of April 20, 1938

[213] Rocket in flight, just after making a correction, April 20 1938

[214] Pressure contact makers, part of releasing system, May 26 1938

[215] Magnet-controlled valve assembly, May 26 1938

[216] Gyroscope in box, May 26 1938

[217] Parts between gasoline and pressure tanks, including barograph, batteries, gasoline valve, August 9 1938

[218] Parts between pressure and oxygen tanks, including hose valve, nitrogen pressure valve, and pressure lines, August 9 1938

[219] Parts between oxygen tank and combustion chamber with oxygen tank, gyroscope, valve box, and pressure tank, August 9 1938

[220] Tower after storm with rocket in it -- a disastrous day, June 15 1938

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