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.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.
Follow

Switch View to List View Slideshow

[081] Rocket used in flight of April 19 1932

[082] Rocket and crew, April 19 1932

[083] Rocket ready for flight, April 19 1932

[084] Gyroscope and mounting, May 20 1932

[085] Rocket motor tested May 20 1932

[086] Rocket after flight, April 19 1932

[087] Liquid nitrogen tank, center, and liquid oxygen tank of rocket tested May 20 1932

[088] Robert Goddard with 12" diameter rocket motor, 1932

[089] Rocket in Clark University lab interior

[090] Robert Goddard holding centrifugal pump and turbine at Clark University, Spring 1934

[091] Robert Goddard holding centrifugal pump and turbine at Clark University, Spring 1934 [2]

[092] Reopening Roswell shop, a Happy day! September 1934

[093] Robert Goddard dusting off hat laid on shop bench with hope of resuming Roswell work someday, June 1932

[094] Ford truck, trailer, and Dodge, September 1934

[095] Repairing the launching tower near Roswell, September 1934

[096] Relaying the cable to 1000-ft shelter for remote control, 1934

[097] New conrete dugout 50 ft. in front of launching tower for close observations, 1934

[098] Observer stationed 3000 ft from tower with recording telescope, 1934

[099] Clock mechanism on recording telescope, 1934

[100] Gasoline tank baffles with bottom nickel hemisphere, January 1935

Page 5 of 19

2

3

4

5

6

7

8