Becker, John Vernon, 1913-
Dates
- Existence: 1913-
Biographical Note
Aerospace engineer, specialist in hypersonic and reentry aerodynamics and a pioneer in the development of hypersonic research aircraft such as the X-15. Received B.S. (1935, mechanical engineering) and M.S. (1936, aeronautical engineering) degrees from New York University. Joined the Langley Aeronautical Laboratory of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) as a research engineer in 1936. Head of the 16-ft. Wind Tunnel Branch (1943-1947), chief of the Compressibility Research Division (1947-1957), and chief of the Aero-Physics Research Division (1958-1974) at NACA and NASA-Langley; retired from NASA in 1974. Elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. Author of The High-Speed Frontier: Case Histories of Four NACA Programs, 1920-1950 (Washington, DC: NASA, 1980).
Found in 3 Collections and/or Records:
John V. Becker Papers
Papers include correspondence, notes, memoranda and other materials related to NACA and NASA programs with which Becker was associated, including the X-1, X-15, X-20 (or Dyna-Soar) programs; research files for The High-Speed Frontier; transcripts of oral history interviews; and copies of publications and lectures by Becker, created between 1936 and 1980.
Blake W. Corson, Jr., Papers
The Blake W. Corson, Jr., Papers are comprised of professional and personal files, correspondence, and published materials from 1861-1984 (bulk, 1934-1979), primarily relating to his career as an engineer at NASA Langley.
Moffett Field Tunnel Propellers-- Calculations/Figures/Graphs/Photographs/Notes, 1942 - 1944
Materials from this sub-series are in Box 1 (folders listed below) and in oversize Folders 10-17.