![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.
![[241] Test of February 7, 1939; flame visible above cement gas deflector but no smoke at rear by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1240/thumbnail.jpg "[241] Test of February 7, 1939; flame visible above cement gas deflector but no smoke at rear by Esther C. Goddard")
![[242] New automatic shut-off valve, April 25 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1241/thumbnail.jpg "[242] New automatic shut-off valve, April 25 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[243] Small chamber to evaporate and warm sufficient oxygen to operate two pump turbines using gasoline and oxygen, April 26 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1242/thumbnail.jpg "[243] Small chamber to evaporate and warm sufficient oxygen to operate two pump turbines using gasoline and oxygen, April 26 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[244] Oxygen reducing valve, May 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1243/thumbnail.jpg "[244] Oxygen reducing valve, May 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[245] Static test of July 5, 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1244/thumbnail.jpg "[245] Static test of July 5, 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[246] Intense flame issuing from rear of gas deflector, July 17 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1245/thumbnail.jpg "[246] Intense flame issuing from rear of gas deflector, July 17 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[247] Gas generator spray head, August 4 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1246/thumbnail.jpg "[247] Gas generator spray head, August 4 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[248] Nitrogen tank and reducing valve, showing liquifying coil, August 4 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1247/thumbnail.jpg "[248] Nitrogen tank and reducing valve, showing liquifying coil, August 4 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[249] Emergency gasoline shut-off valve, incorporated into well on bottom of gasoline tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1248/thumbnail.jpg "[249] Emergency gasoline shut-off valve, incorporated into well on bottom of gasoline tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[250] Liquid oxygen tank, with system of thin steel tubing to withstand compressive forces during flight, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1249/thumbnail.jpg "[250] Liquid oxygen tank, with system of thin steel tubing to withstand compressive forces during flight, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[251] Liquid nitrogen tank, to be installed in liquid oxygen tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1250/thumbnail.jpg "[251] Liquid nitrogen tank, to be installed in liquid oxygen tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[252] Two nitrogen tanks, installed in bottom hemisphere of liquid oxygen tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1251/thumbnail.jpg "[252] Two nitrogen tanks, installed in bottom hemisphere of liquid oxygen tank, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[253] Rocket under construction in Roswell shop, showing rocket motor, tanks, supports, pumps, and piping, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1252/thumbnail.jpg "[253] Rocket under construction in Roswell shop, showing rocket motor, tanks, supports, pumps, and piping, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[254] ...gas generator parts between oxygen tank and main valves, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1253/thumbnail.jpg "[254] ...gas generator parts between oxygen tank and main valves, November 18 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[255] New large capacity safety valce to vent oxygen tank, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1254/thumbnail.jpg "[255] New large capacity safety valce to vent oxygen tank, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[256] Fueling the rocket with liquid oxygen, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1255/thumbnail.jpg "[256] Fueling the rocket with liquid oxygen, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[257] Draining and drying, after a static test of a pump rocket, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1256/thumbnail.jpg "[257] Draining and drying, after a static test of a pump rocket, December 2 1939 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[258] Cap, parachutes, and barograph, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1257/thumbnail.jpg "[258] Cap, parachutes, and barograph, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[259] Charles Mansur with recording telescope adapted for higher flights using erect-image surveying, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1258/thumbnail.jpg "[259] Charles Mansur with recording telescope adapted for higher flights using erect-image surveying, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[260] Captain Howard Alden on observing platform about 10,000 feet from launching tower, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1259/thumbnail.jpg "[260] Captain Howard Alden on observing platform about 10,000 feet from launching tower, February 1940 by Esther C. Goddard")
