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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[281] Nitrogen reducing valve, January 22 1941

[282] Main oxygen valve, January 22 1941

[283] Setup for balancing impeller, February 11 1941

[284] Static test under way, February 14 1941

[285] Impeller at left and bearing assembly with ball bearings at right, April 1 1941

[286] Parts of oxygen pump including main casing, outlet nozzle, impeller shaft, April 1 1941

[287] Impeller and turbine, April 1 1941

[288] Completed oxygen pump, April 1 1941

[289] Combustion chamber for pump-operated rocket, May 8 1941

[290] Jig for milling the volute groove in pump casing, May 1941

[291] Completed gasoline pump, May 8 1941

[292] Closeup of nozzle support, August 10 1941

[293] Iron thimble in tower, rigidly bolted to prevent its being bent by force of blast, August 10 1941

[294] Enlarged shop for government work, October 1941

[295] Addition to north end of shop, October 1941

[296] Staff for government work, October 1941

[297] Artificial atmosphere carburetor feed, tested November 24-25, 1941

[298] Artificial atmosphere carburetor feed, tested November 24-25, 1941 [2]

[299] Artificial atmosphere carburetor feed, tested November 24-25, 1941 [3]

[300] Preliminary pressure tank thrust unit for Navy JATO, December 1941

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