Purdue University. School of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Historical Information
On July 1, 1945, the School of Aeronautical Engineering became its own unit, separating from the School of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering. At the time the entire operation of the School was located at the Purdue University airport in two large buildings, with separate programs offered in aeronautical engineering and in air transportation. Elmer F. Bruhn, who had been head of the School since its beginning, decided in 1949 to return to teaching and research rather than continue in administration. A search was immediately begun for a new head. By midsummer of 1950 Dean Andrey A. Potter announced the appointment of Dr. Milton U. Clauser as the new head of the School effective September 1, 1950.
The School initially offered Bachelor of Science degrees in both aeronautical engineering and the new field of air transportation, with the first Masters degrees awarded in 1947, and the first PhD granted in 1950. Both programs were popular following World War II, as returning veterans brought total undergraduate enrollment to 736 students in 1947. Although the air transportation program was initially well accepted, and graduates received good positions in industry, enrollments declined, and the air transportation degree was discontinued in 1955.
The School merged with the Division of Engineering Science in 1960, and changed its name to the School of Aeronautical and Engineering Sciences. This joint program continued until the engineering sciences effort was ended in 1972, and the name changed again to the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:
Neil A. Armstrong papers
Purdue University Department of Aviation Technology records
Mark N. Brown papers
Mark Brown United States Space Shuttle Patches collection
The Mark Brown United States Space Shuttle Patches collection consists of two Space Shuttle patches with certificates of authenticity, signed by Purdue alum and Mission Specialist, Colonel Mark N. Brown. The patches include: Thirtieth Flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-28), Columbia, August 8 - 13, 1989 and Forty-third Flight of the Space Shuttle (STS-48), Discovery, September 12 - 18, 1991. Also included is a copy of a letter from the donor, Curtis Haley to Ms. Flanary.
Charles F. Bolden Jr. lecture
The Charles F. Bolden, Jr. lecture (2010, 0.1 cubic feet) documents a lecture given by Charles F. Bolden, then 12th admnistrator of NASA. The lecture was given as part of the William E. Boeing Distinguished Lecture series on September 7, 2010 in Fowler Hall and was open to the general public. The collection contains one DVD.
Lana Murphy Couch papers
The Lana Murphy Couch papers document Couch's forty year career with NASA, first as a wind tunnel test engineer, and later in management positions. Types of materials include: correspondence, newsletters, papers, photographs, programs, publications, research and work reports, technical reports, VHS tapes, writings, and material related to award recognition.
Harold M. DeGroff, Jr. papers
Alten F. Grandt, Jr. papers
Winthrop A. Gustafson papers
George M. Palmer papers
Student course assignment results for AE 420, titled "Extrapolation 59," completed by K.E. Beyer, R. B. Chaffee, W. B. Fouts, and W. D. Harvey, May 23, 1957.
Purdue University Boeing Wind Tunnel scrapbook and School of Aeronautics and Astronautics photographs
Purdue University School of Aeronautics and Astronautics brochure
The Purdue University School of Aeronautics brochure (circa 1950s; 1 item) includes photographs of the Purdue Airport and laboratories, Aeronautical Engineering and Air Transportation curricula, outlines and descriptions.