![The Goddard Rocket Researches: A Photographic Record [Individual Photographs]](../assets/md5images/5563c8f0ce3ad094e6aae9409d220fb9.jpg)
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.
![[221] Bringing the first 20-foot section of the new launching tower into place, July 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1220/thumbnail.jpg "[221] Bringing the first 20-foot section of the new launching tower into place, July 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[222] Relay-operated 6.5 x 8.5 inch camera, July 25 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1221/thumbnail.jpg "[222] Relay-operated 6.5 x 8.5 inch camera, July 25 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[223] Setup for the flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1222/thumbnail.jpg "[223] Setup for the flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[224] The rocket in flight, August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1223/thumbnail.jpg "[224] The rocket in flight, August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[225] Rocket descending on parachute, August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1224/thumbnail.jpg "[225] Rocket descending on parachute, August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[226] After the August 9 1938 flight by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1225/thumbnail.jpg "[226] After the August 9 1938 flight by Esther C. Goddard")
![[227] The NAA Committee removing the barograph after flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1226/thumbnail.jpg "[227] The NAA Committee removing the barograph after flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[228] NAA barograph showing trace made by flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1227/thumbnail.jpg "[228] NAA barograph showing trace made by flight of August 9 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[229] Robert Goddard studying one of the early pump models in his Roswell shop, September 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1228/thumbnail.jpg "[229] Robert Goddard studying one of the early pump models in his Roswell shop, September 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[230] Conducting a pump test in Roswell shop, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1229/thumbnail.jpg "[230] Conducting a pump test in Roswell shop, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[231] Pump and turbine assembly, Form D, developed after tests with other forms, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1230/thumbnail.jpg "[231] Pump and turbine assembly, Form D, developed after tests with other forms, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[232] Bearing assembly parts for Form D pump, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1231/thumbnail.jpg "[232] Bearing assembly parts for Form D pump, Fall 1938 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[233] 30-pound reducing valve used for filling oxygen and gasoline tanks for first pump test at tower, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1232/thumbnail.jpg "[233] 30-pound reducing valve used for filling oxygen and gasoline tanks for first pump test at tower, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[234] Oxygen pump and turbine assembly with vanes, turbine, manifold, and nozzles, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1233/thumbnail.jpg "[234] Oxygen pump and turbine assembly with vanes, turbine, manifold, and nozzles, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[235] Gasoline pump and turbine assembly, with inlet and outlet fittings, manifold, turbine regulators, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1234/thumbnail.jpg "[235] Gasoline pump and turbine assembly, with inlet and outlet fittings, manifold, turbine regulators, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[236] Combustion chamber with reducing valve, oxygen valve, and small check valve, January 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1235/thumbnail.jpg "[236] Combustion chamber with reducing valve, oxygen valve, and small check valve, January 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[237] Completed rocket for first test with pumps and turbines, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1236/thumbnail.jpg "[237] Completed rocket for first test with pumps and turbines, January 6 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[238] New turbine regulators on the nozzle manifolds, January 24 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1237/thumbnail.jpg "[238] New turbine regulators on the nozzle manifolds, January 24 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[239] Closeup of pump system, with gasoline and oxygen regulator controls; strainers, pumps, turbines, and manifolds for oxygen and gasoline, January 24 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1238/thumbnail.jpg "[239] Closeup of pump system, with gasoline and oxygen regulator controls; strainers, pumps, turbines, and manifolds for oxygen and gasoline, January 24 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[240] Assembled 200-pound reducing valve, February 7 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1239/thumbnail.jpg "[240] Assembled 200-pound reducing valve, February 7 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
