![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.
![[341] Motor and 3 main valves of gasoline-oxygen-water pump unit, tested February 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1340/thumbnail.jpg "[341] Motor and 3 main valves of gasoline-oxygen-water pump unit, tested February 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[342] Gas generator at left with combination solenoid valve and gasoline spray nozzle at head end, January 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1341/thumbnail.jpg "[342] Gas generator at left with combination solenoid valve and gasoline spray nozzle at head end, January 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[343] Pumps and gas generator unit, tested January 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1342/thumbnail.jpg "[343] Pumps and gas generator unit, tested January 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[344] Nitromethane pump and turbine, viewed from pump intake side, March 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1343/thumbnail.jpg "[344] Nitromethane pump and turbine, viewed from pump intake side, March 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[345] Quonset testing shelter for oxygen-gasoline-water tests, February 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1344/thumbnail.jpg "[345] Quonset testing shelter for oxygen-gasoline-water tests, February 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[346] Combustion chamber adapted for intermittent firing, May 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1345/thumbnail.jpg "[346] Combustion chamber adapted for intermittent firing, May 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[347] Testing equipment for nitromethane pump showing torquemeter and tachometer on end of pump shaft, April 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1346/thumbnail.jpg "[347] Testing equipment for nitromethane pump showing torquemeter and tachometer on end of pump shaft, April 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[348] Combustion chamber adapted for intermittent firing, showing nozzle jacket, May 1945 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1347/thumbnail.jpg "[348] Combustion chamber adapted for intermittent firing, showing nozzle jacket, May 1945 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[349] In the shop at the Clark University Physics Laboratories, circa 1920 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1348/thumbnail.jpg "[349] In the shop at the Clark University Physics Laboratories, circa 1920 by Unknown")
![[350] With an early steel combustion chamber and nozzle in the Clark shop, circa 1920 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1349/thumbnail.jpg "[350] With an early steel combustion chamber and nozzle in the Clark shop, circa 1920 by Unknown")
![[351] Doing experiments with liquid oxygen, Sub-Freshman Day at Clark University, 1928 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1350/thumbnail.jpg "[351] Doing experiments with liquid oxygen, Sub-Freshman Day at Clark University, 1928 by Unknown")
![[352] More experiments with liquid oxygen, 1928 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1351/thumbnail.jpg "[352] More experiments with liquid oxygen, 1928 by Unknown")
![[353] At the Clark University laboratories with a sun-motor apparatus, circa 1934 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1352/thumbnail.jpg "[353] At the Clark University laboratories with a sun-motor apparatus, circa 1934 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[354] Robert Goddard at the entrance to Mescalero Ranch, happily heading to his shop, circa 1937 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1353/thumbnail.jpg "[354] Robert Goddard at the entrance to Mescalero Ranch, happily heading to his shop, circa 1937 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[355] Robert Goddard sitting in a portal chair at his home Mescalero Ranch at Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1354/thumbnail.jpg "[355] Robert Goddard sitting in a portal chair at his home Mescalero Ranch at Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[356] Robert and Esther Goddard at their home, Mescalero Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico, circa 1937 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1355/thumbnail.jpg "[356] Robert and Esther Goddard at their home, Mescalero Ranch in Roswell, New Mexico, circa 1937 by Unknown")
![[357] Esther Goddard in the library at Mescalero Ranch, Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Unknown](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1356/thumbnail.jpg "[357] Esther Goddard in the library at Mescalero Ranch, Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Unknown")
![[358] Robert Goddard in the living room of his Mescalero Ranch home in Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1357/thumbnail.jpg "[358] Robert Goddard in the living room of his Mescalero Ranch home in Roswell, New Mexico, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[359] The office at Mescalero Ranch, circa 1941 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1358/thumbnail.jpg "[359] The office at Mescalero Ranch, circa 1941 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[360] Robert Goddard dressed for Sunday, circa 1937 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1359/thumbnail.jpg "[360] Robert Goddard dressed for Sunday, circa 1937 by Esther C. Goddard")
