Charles Lindbergh Letter to Robert Goddard

Collection — Box: Assorted rare collections, Box 1, Folder: 2011-06-06 folder 2

Identifier: 2011-06-06-2

Contents of the Collection

This collection consists of a single item: a two-page typed letter written by Charles Lindbergh to Dr. Robert Goddard, dated December 15, 1938. In the letter Lindbergh makes the first suggestion for the military uses of the rocket. He states: "When the opportunity arises, I shall take this matter up with our own military people because I believe we should explore the military possibilities of the rocket. As you say, it is often difficult to start interest in such a radical development in its early stages." He also discusses "Mr. Guggenheim's" (presumably Harry Guggenheim's) support of Dr. Goddard's work and Germany's rocket development.

Dates

Creation: 1938 December 15

Creator

Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974 (Author, Person)

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This item is very fragile and may not be handled by researchers. A digitized version is available. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Biographical Note: Charles Lindbergh

Charles Augustus Lindbergh (February 4, 1902 – August 26, 1974), nicknamed Slim, Lucky Lindy, and The Lone Eagle, was an American aviator, author, inventor, military officer, explorer, and social activist. In 1927, at the age of 25, Lindbergh emerged from the virtual obscurity of a U.S. Air Mail pilot to instantaneous world fame as the result of his Orteig Prize-winning solo nonstop flight from Roosevelt Field on New York's Long Island to Le Bourget Field in Paris, France.

Biographical Note: Robert Goddard

Dr. Robert Hutchings Goddard (1882-1945) is considered the father of modern rocket propulsion. He was a physics professor and an inventor with more than 200 patents. He is credited with creating and building the world's first liquid-fueled rocket. NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, was established on May 1, 1959 and named in his honor. He was inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame in 1966 and into the International Space Hall of Fame in 1976.