Glenn History Collection

The Glenn History Collection contains primary source, secondary source, and reference materials covering much of the Center’s history. These materials include copies of official records sent to the National Archives, personal papers donated by some of the center’s luminaries, various program and facility files, as well as center newsletters, press releases, and directories. The collection also includes audio/visuals, artwork, and three-dimensional objects.

The Glenn archives is a closed collection located in the center’s Science and Engineering Library. Many of the documents have been digitized for access.  Research requests can be made at grc-history@lists.nasa.gov

Collection Highlights:

•      A complete set of Center Newspapers.
•     Center imagery collection – photographs, films, and video
•     Director’s Office papers
•     Documents related to the establishment of the center and its facilities.
•     Documents related to historic programs, projects, and operation.
•     Retiree personal papers.
•     Press kits and new releases
•     Telephone directories
•     Materials related to Center events, awards, and social activities

The Glenn History Office gladly accept materials that fit within our collection development policy and contribute to our research needs. These materials should relate directly to Glenn Research Center. At this time, we are not accepting copies of Lewis News, commercially published magazines and newspapers, or large artifacts.

Services

The Glenn History offers reference and research services, support for historical mitigation projects, historical content for the Glenn communications team and for center events.

Reference: The Glenn History Office regularly provides center employees, management, and external customers with information or materials regarding the center’s history. Reference requests can be made at grc-history@lists.nasa.gov

• Glenn History Fact Sheet – NASA
• Evolution of the Center’s Many Name Changes

Historical Documentation: To help the center meet its obligations under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, the Glenn History Office has documented a number of historic facilities prior to their demolition and supports the center’s ongoing mitigation efforts.

• Overview of Glenn’s Historic Mitigation Efforts
• Descriptions of Glenn Historic Facilities

Communications: The Glenn History Office regularly contributes articles, features, and social media content for the center’s Communications Office.

• Glenn History Web Features
• NASA Glenn Historical Overview

Publications

The Glenn History Office has created and sponsored an array of publications documenting various aspects of the history of the center.  These include scholarly histories, websites, articles, documentaries, and timelines.

Books

• Bringing the Future Within Reach—Celebrating 75 Years of the NASA John H. Glenn Research Center (Robert Arrighi, 2016).
• NASA’s Hydrogen Outpost: The Rocket Systems Area at Plum Brook Station (Robert Arrighi, 2016)
• Pursuit of Power: NASA’s Propulsion Systems Laboratory No. 1 and 2 (Robert Arrighi, 2012).
• Revolutionary Atmosphere: The Story of the Altitude Wind Tunnel and Space Power Chambers (Robert Arrighi, 2010).
• Science in Flux: NASA’s Nuclear Program at Plum Brook Station 1955–2005 (Mark Bowles, 2006).
• Ideas Into Hardware: A History of the Rocket Engine Test Facility at the NASA Glenn Research Center (Virginia Dawson, 2004).
• Realizing the Dream of Flight: Biographical Essays in honor of Centennial of Flight (Virginia Dawson and Mark Bowles, 2005).
• Taming Liquid Hydrogen: The Centaur Upper Stage Rocket 1958–2002 (Virginia Dawson and Mark Bowles, 2004).
• NASA’s Nuclear Frontier: Plum Brook Reactor Facility (Mark Bowles and Robert Arrighi, 2004).
• We Freeze to Please: A History of NASA’s Icing Research Tunnel and the Quest for Flight Safety (William Leary, 2002).
• Engines and Innovation: Lewis Laboratory and American Propulsion Technology (Virginia Dawson, 1991).

Articles and Web Features

• This page contains links to articles and web feature highlighting specific people, events, research programs, and facilities that contribute to the center’s history.

Documentaries and Video Footage

• A Tunnel Through Time: A History of the Altitude Wind Tunnel and Space Power Chambers.
• Of Ashes and Atoms—An Emmy-nominated full-length documentary on the Plum Brook Reactor.
• Fueling Space Exploration—A documentary on the Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF).
• Evolution of an Historic District: Video highlighting NASA’s Glenn Research Center’s historical sites.
• Altitude Wind Tunnel YouTube Channel – Includes histories of the tunnel, test footage, and facility modification scenes.
• Propulsion Systems Laboratory No. 1-2 Youtube Channel – Includes historical test footage and views of the facility.

Glenn History Websites

• Glenn History Sites — An evolving collection of websites provides a variety of resources highlighting the rich history of the center’s research, employees, and facilities.
• NASA Glenn History — An overview of Glenn Research Center’s 80 years of research. Includes biographies of all Glenn center directors.
• Armstrong Test Facility History – An overview of the research activities conducted at the former Plum Brook Station.
• Glenn Hall of Fame — Biographies of inductees into the Glenn Hall of Fame and information regarding the induction ceremonies.
• NASA Glenn’s Arrival in Cleveland — This website details the NACA’s 1940 decision to locate its new engine laboratory (today the Glenn Research Center) in Cleveland, Ohio.
• NASA’s Arrival in Sandusky — An overview of of the pre-NASA history of the Armstrong Test Facility (Plum Brook Station) and how the NACA selected the location for its remote test facility.
• Glenn Impact on the Apollo Program —Summary of NASA Glenn’s scientific, technological, and managerial contributions that impacted the Apollo Program.
• Early Years at NASA Glenn—A photographic retrospective of the first 40 years of operation at the center (1941–79) with in-depth captions.
• The NACA Inspections — A repository for images, presentations, correspondence, and other documents from the NACA’s post-war Inspections.

Historic Facilities Websites

• Glenn Historic Preservation — Overview of the center’s mitigation efforts to document several of its historic test facilities prior to their demolition.
• Altitude Wind Tunnel (AWT) and Space Power Chambers (SPC) — This website provides an interactive look at what was one of NASA’s most significant wind tunnels. It includes images, videos, reports, timelines, and materials for students.
• Propulsion Systems Laboratory (PSL)— This website is dedicated to PSL’s history and facility, and it includes related documents and reports.
• Rocket Engine Test Facility (RETF) — This website was designed to preserve the legacy of the RETF. It includes photographs and videos of the RETF and interactive lessons on rocket engine testing.
• Rocket Systems Area — This website documents the history of the Rocket Systems Area at Plum Brook Station. It includes photographs, documents, monthly status reports, and timelines regarding the nine cryogenic fuel test facilities.
• Special Projects Laboratory — This website documents the research and physical attributes of the Special Projects Laboratory, originally named the Jet Propulsion Static Laboratory.
• Cyclotron Facility – This website describes the research, facility, and operation of the Cyclotron Facility. The site includes related documents and reports.
• Rocket Laboratory – This website documents the history of the Rocket Lab facility, also known as the Research Combustion Laboratory. It includes photographs, documents, and timelines regarding the facility and the research conducted there.

Timelines and Articles

• Glenn Historical Timeline – Timeline of key center events.
• History of Center Name Changes – Overview of the various names changes at NASA Glenn and Armstrong Test Facility.