Pen Knife, Robert H. Goddard

This pen knife belonged to the American rocket pioneer Dr. Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945). A professor of physics at Clark University, Goddard launched the world's first liquid fuel rocket on March 16, 1926 and made many advances in rocket technology thereafter. From 1942-1945, he undertook developmental work for the Navy in adapting the liquid fuel rocket as Jet Assisted Take-Off units for aircraft. Goddard died on August 9,1945.

According to Paul Garber, director of the National Air Museum from 1952-1957, this penknife was included in a group of personal mementos collected from Dr. Goddard’s widow, Esther, in 1957 for inclusion in an exhibit of Dr. Goddard’s rocket material. Because Garber had come “to admire the warmth and genius of Dr. Goddard,” he wanted to “convey that sense of humanness” in the exhibit.

Although received by the Smithsonian in 1957 for the exhibit, the penknife and the other pieces of personal memorabilia were not officially cataloged into the National Air and Space Museum's collection until 1975.