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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[141] Observers at the shelter 1000 feet from tower for static tests, Winter 1935-1936

[142] Placing rocket in tower for static test, Winter 1935-1936

[143] Top view of assembled rocket static-tested, November 22 1935

[144] Combustion chamber and nozzle (or rocket motor) tested statically November 22 1935

[145] Closeup of rocket ready for static test, November 22 1935

[146] Combustion chamber and water jacket, with 4 tangential entrances, static tested February 12 1936

[147] Closeup of rocket tested May 11 1936

[148] Pressure system at tower, May 11 1936

[149] Nitrogen liquefier used in rocket tested May 11 1936

[150] Assembled valves, tested June 18 1936

[151] Modified recording telescope with larger field and improved sights, June 18 1936

[152] Gyroscope mounted in box, June 18 1936

[153] Parts of the oxygen tank with baffle system, October 3 1936

[154] Parts of gasoline tank with baffles, October 3 1936

[155] Nitrogen tank and jacket, showing coil for liquefying nitrogen, October 3 1936

[156] Rocket ready for test, giving short flight, October 3 1936

[157] Four-chamber unit, tested November 7 1936

[158] The four chambers and tail piece, November 7 1936

[159] Closeup of four-chamber rocket in tower, giving a short flight, November 7 1936

[160] Four-chamber rocket at the launching tower, November 7, 1936

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