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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[161] Timer for parachute release, December 18 1936

[162] Cap, or nose cone, and parachute, December 18 1936

[163] Closeup of rocket in tower, February 1 1937

[164] Pressure shut-off valve, February 27 1937

[165] Gyroscope showing parachute contacts on frame and outer gimbal, February 27 1937

[166] Closeup of rocket before flight, March 26 1937

[167] Parts of recovered rocket after flight of March 26 1937

[168] Dented nose cone and torn parachute after flight of March 26 1937

[169] Parachute with 100-pound shroud lines torn off after flight of March 26 1937

[170] Igniter box with igniters in grooves on board, April 22 1937

[171] Lift indicator clamped to launching tower, April 22 1937

[172] Reducing valve with bellows and spring, May 19 1937

[173] Nitrogen pressure valve with cut-off, May 19 1937

[174] Parts between gasoline and pressure tanks, showing gasoline pressure valve, nitrogen gas valve, and gasoline strainer, May 19 1937

[175] Tail piece with fixed and movable air vanes and vanes movable into the blast, May 19 1937

[176] Ready for flight of May 19 1937

[177] Rocket, showing half painted black, May 19 1937

[178] Robert Goddard with batteries and relay at tower, May 19 1937

[179] One of the most beautiful flights, excellent automatic stabilization, May 19 1937

[180] Cap and pilot parachute which operated successfully, May 19 1937

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