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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[061] Shop interior along north side, 1930

[062] 20 foot tower used for static tests near shop at Roswell, New Mexico, 1930

[063] Staff; Robert Goddard, Charles Mansur, Albert Kisk, Henry Sachs, 1930

[064] Rocket being transported to launching tower, 15 miles northwest of Roswell, 1930-1932

[065] 60 foot tower used for flight tests, showing iron shield and control shelter, 1930-1932

[066] Flight tower and one shelter, 1930-1932

[067] Lawrence Mansur with recording telescope, 1930

[068] Charles Mansur and Albert Kisk filling 15-liter container of liquid oxygen from 50-liter container, 1930

[069] Revolving drum to record lift developed in static tests in 20-foot tower, 1930

[070] Rocket used in first flight at Roswell, December 30 1930

[071] Setup for test #72 which gave first flight in New Mexico, December 30 1930

[072] Rocket in flight, December 30 1930

[073] Setup for static test, May 19 1931

[074] Group taking part in flight of September 29, 1931

[075] Gyroscope for flight control, mounted on rocket, 1930

[076] Vane system and jacket, 1931-1932

[077] Bellows pump for rocket tested January 26 1932

[078] Rocket tested, showing gyroscope, April 19 1932

[079] Gyroscope and associated parts used in flight of April 19 1932

[080] Lower part of rocket showing blast vanes, April 19 1932

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