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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[041] Camera and aneroid barometer carried on flight of July 17, 1929

[042] Rocket in tower ready for test, July 17, 1929

[043] Lawrence Mansur, Robert Goddard, Henry Sachs, Albert Kisk, Percy Roope with rocket after landing, July 17 1929

[044] Beginning of rocket flight, July 17 1929

[045] Continuation of rocket flight, July 17, 1929

[046] Rocket nearing top of 60-foot tower, July 17 1929

[047] Rocket in flight, July 17 1929

[048] Tower and shelter at artillery range at Camp Devens, winter 1929-1930

[049] Rocket used in final test at Camp Devens, June 30 1930

[050] Rocket motor used in first test at Camp Devens, March 4 1930

[051] Close up of rocket motor used in test at Camp Devens, December 23 1929

[052] Model rocket propeller plan used in successful test at Clark University, March 25 1930

[053] Rocket turbo-propeller after successful test , March 29 1930

[054] Rocket turbine, tested with gasoline-oxygen rocket at Camp Devens

[055] Second test of rocket propeller plane model, March 25 1930

[056] Shop built by Robert Goddard east of ranch house, 1930

[057] Mescalero Ranch, 3 miles northeast of Roswell, New Mexico, 1930

[058] Shop interior along south side, with Henry Sachs, 1930

[059] Shop interior along south side looking west, 1930

[060] Shop interior looking northeast, 1930

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