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Floyd L. Thompson Technical Library (Building 1194)

The headshot image of Julia L. Bradshaw

Julia L. Bradshaw

Apr 05, 2022
Article
This is a photo of the 1925 staff of the Library, Files, Stenographic Section, Purchase, Personnel, Telephone Exchange, and Property.
Shown above is the 1925 staff of the Library, Files, Stenographic Section, Purchase, Personnel, Telephone Exchange, and Property, including (from left) Minnie Cimmino; Walter Reiser, Chief of Maintenance Division; Lucy Bainbridge, Head of Report Typing and Steno Section; Ruth Belle, Office of the Director; Clyde Lumpkin, Head of Office Services; Rosa Smith; Lynton Burr; and “Babe” Martin.
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Quick Facts

Year Built: 1942 

Historic Eligibility: National Register Eligible  

History

Building 1194 underwent many alterations and occupant changes during its 80 years of service. Construction began Oct. 5, 1941, and was completed on Aug. 22, 1942. It was placed into operation the following month.  

This is a painting based on an aerial photo of NASA Langley, which was hung in the lobby of building 1194. The history of the painting goes back to March 3, 1977. Robert Curtin, Senior Vice President of Virginia National Bank, presented Langley with a 5 ft. by 8 ft. color aerial view of Langley. Photo Archivist Teresa Hornbuckle has found a 1950 aerial photograph depicting the same view of the paining. The date of the area of the painting has been a long-time question of the library patrons through the years. The building was completed in 1942. The library was dedicated to Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Center Director from 1960-1968, on December 7, 1978.
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The building was used initially to house the West Area’s sheet metal shop, machine shop, model finishing shop and technical service office. For some years it was known as either the “Main Shop” or “West Shop.” Other tenants included some of the first branches of engineering in Langley’s West Area.  

In the late 1940s, part of the building served as the garage and into the 1960s there were operating gas pumps located at the east end of the building. In the mid-1950s, the Equipment Engineering Section occupied the second floor and the electric shop occupied part of the first, remaining there until the mid-1960s. These were joined early in the 1960s by the element of the Fabrication Division’s electronic shop. 

This is a photo from Dec. 7, 1978, when the Technical Library was dedicated to Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Langley’s center director from 1960 to 1968 and who had passed away in 1976.
On Dec. 7, 1978, the Technical Library was dedicated to Dr. Floyd L. Thompson, Langley’s center director from 1960 to 1968 and who had passed away in 1976. Participants included then Center Director Don Hearth, Thompson’s widow Jean G. Thompson, and other family members.
NASA

The original building covered a ground area of 13,125 square feet and was constructed of a steel framework. The building was set on pile footings, with 16-inch-thick brick walls and heavily reinforced six-inch-thick concrete floors. 

Over the years, as the shops moved to more modern and suitable facilities, the building underwent internal remodeling. In 1960 it was remodeled to accommodate space personnel, and remodeled again in 1964 to house elements of the Research Models and Facilities Division. 

This is a photo of the construction of Building 1194, the Fabrication Shop, which began in 1941.
Construction of Building 1194, the Fabrication Shop, began in 1941. The large brick building in the background is Building 1146, and the smaller building between it and the construction site was the first West Area cafeteria. Photo taken Nov. 15, 1941.
NASA

In the late 1960s a mezzanine, supported by steel bridge beams, was added and there was a major renovation of the second floor to house the technical library, which had previously been located in Building 1244. The move of the technical library took place in August 1969, but renovations continued until the formal dedication almost three years later. In 1977, a two-story 69- by 34-foot addition, Building 1194A the West Area Training Facility, was constructed on the north side of the building.  

On Dec. 7, 1978, the library was dedicated to Dr. Floyd L. Thompson who had served as Langley’s center director from 1960 to 1968 and had passed away in 1976.  

The last addition to Building 1194 was completed in the spring of 1991, completing the extension of the building’s south face.  

In November 2019, the Technical Library relocated to a newly renovated area of the 2nd floor in Building 1268A. Demolition of Building 1194 began in 2021. 

Search the NASA Technical Reports Server for additional information. 

Related Materials

  • Original Floorplan
  • 1989 Floorplan
  • General view of buildings in Langley’s West Area in 1942. Building 1194 appears as, “#13, West Shop.” 
An exterior view of Building 1194 in 1972.
An exterior view of Building 1194 in 1972.
NASA