![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.
![[021] Liquid oxygen-gasoline rocket in the frame from which it was fired in Auburn, Massachusetts on March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1020/thumbnail.jpg "[021] Liquid oxygen-gasoline rocket in the frame from which it was fired in Auburn, Massachusetts on March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[022] Assistant (Henry Sachs) igniting the rocket, March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1021/thumbnail.jpg "[022] Assistant (Henry Sachs) igniting the rocket, March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[023] "The empty frame" after world's first flight of a liquid-propelled rocket, March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1022/thumbnail.jpg "[023] \"The empty frame\" after world's first flight of a liquid-propelled rocket, March 16, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[024] Henry Sachs, Robert Goddard, and Percy Roope with parts of first liquid-propellant rocket after flight, March 16 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1023/thumbnail.jpg "[024] Henry Sachs, Robert Goddard, and Percy Roope with parts of first liquid-propellant rocket after flight, March 16 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[025] Rocket with additional vertical braces, April 3, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1024/thumbnail.jpg "[025] Rocket with additional vertical braces, April 3, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[026] Robert Goddard with rocket tested May 4, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1025/thumbnail.jpg "[026] Robert Goddard with rocket tested May 4, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[027] Model with new launching frame, tested May 4, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1026/thumbnail.jpg "[027] Model with new launching frame, tested May 4, 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[028] Model 20 fold larger than first rocket, showing piping system, December 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1027/thumbnail.jpg "[028] Model 20 fold larger than first rocket, showing piping system, December 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[029] Details of top of combustion chamber, showing new multiple feeding, October 18 1926 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1028/thumbnail.jpg "[029] Details of top of combustion chamber, showing new multiple feeding, October 18 1926 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[030] Rocket, tools, and fixtures in horse-drawn sled, Winter 1926-1927 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1029/thumbnail.jpg "[030] Rocket, tools, and fixtures in horse-drawn sled, Winter 1926-1927 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[031] Early parachute, Henry Sachs is holding cone at greatest distance from rocket, Spring 1927 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1030/thumbnail.jpg "[031] Early parachute, Henry Sachs is holding cone at greatest distance from rocket, Spring 1927 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[032] Test of April 20, 1927, with parachute attachment and turntable for launching by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1031/thumbnail.jpg "[032] Test of April 20, 1927, with parachute attachment and turntable for launching by Esther C. Goddard")
![[033] Combustion chamber with jacket for evaporating liquid oxygen, July 1927 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1032/thumbnail.jpg "[033] Combustion chamber with jacket for evaporating liquid oxygen, July 1927 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[034] Rocket tested July 20, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1033/thumbnail.jpg "[034] Rocket tested July 20, 1937 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[035] Return to medium-sized rocket, October 1927 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1034/thumbnail.jpg "[035] Return to medium-sized rocket, October 1927 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[036] Completed rocket, weighing 28.5 lbs. without fuels, tested January 12, 1928 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1035/thumbnail.jpg "[036] Completed rocket, weighing 28.5 lbs. without fuels, tested January 12, 1928 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[037] Combustion chamber and nozzle again at top, tested September 29 1928 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1036/thumbnail.jpg "[037] Combustion chamber and nozzle again at top, tested September 29 1928 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[038] Robert Goddard and Henry Sachs beside remains of rocket which flew December 28 1928 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1037/thumbnail.jpg "[038] Robert Goddard and Henry Sachs beside remains of rocket which flew December 28 1928 by Esther C. Goddard")
![[039] Model tested December 1928, with pressure generated from evaporation of oxygen produced by cooling the gasoline by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1038/thumbnail.jpg "[039] Model tested December 1928, with pressure generated from evaporation of oxygen produced by cooling the gasoline by Esther C. Goddard")
![[040] Testing tower and observation shelter at Auburn, Massachusetts, July 1929 by Esther C. Goddard](https://commons.clarku.edu/goddardphotographs/1039/thumbnail.jpg "[040] Testing tower and observation shelter at Auburn, Massachusetts, July 1929 by Esther C. Goddard")
