John V. Becker Papers

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

The collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John V. Becker Papers, 1936-1980, n.d., Ms1990-052, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
5.4 Cubic Feet 4 boxes
Creator:
Becker, John V. (John Vernon), 1913-2020
Abstract:
THe John V. Becker 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.
Language:
The materials in the collection are in English.
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John V. Becker Papers, 1936-1980, n.d., Ms1990-052, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The John V. Becker Papers contain 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 and other writings, transcripts of oral history interviews, and copies of publications and lectures by Becker. The majority of materials were created between 1936 and 1980, with the bulk dated between 1946 and 1976. There are also undated materials, but based on their content, they date to the same active time period of Becker's career.

Biographical / historical:

John Vernon Becker was born in Albany, New York, in 1913. He graduated from NYU in 1935 with a degree in mechanical engineering and an MS in 1936. He began working at National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA) in the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory later that year. During his career, he served as . 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. He was a specialist in hypersonic and reentry aerodynamics and a pioneer in the development of hypersonic research aircraft, including the X-15. Becker retired from NASA in 1974. He was elected a fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1980, he authored The High-Speed Frontier: Case Histories of Four NACA Programs, 1920-1950 (Washington, DC: NASA, 1980). He died in 2020.

A longer biography of Becker is availalbe on the NASA website: https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/john-v-becker/.

See also Becker's obituary online at https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dailypress/name/john-becker-obituary?id=14163893.

Acquisition information:
The John V. Becker Papers were donated to Special Collections in 1990.
Processing information:

The initial processing, arrangement, and description of the John V. Becker Papers was completed in 1990. Additional description, re-housing of the collection, and the creation of series was completed in August 2018.

Arrangement:

The John V. Becker Papers are in their original order. Since this order grouped like materials together, series were added to help navigate the collection.

Series I: Biographical Information and Correspondence, 1936-1976, n.d., contains resumes, interviews with Becker, correspondence, and materials about his retirement.

Series II: Writings and Authored Studies, 1970-1980, n.d., includes books, reports, and studies written by Becker and reviews about those works. In addition, this series has writings by colleagues on which Becker commented.

Series III: Talks and Presentations, 1946-1976, consists of talks and presentations given by Becker between 1946 and 1976. These include presentations given to the public (at conferences or invited events), as well as presentation given in the context of his job (for the military, NASA, and corporate partners).

Series IV: Research and Meeting Files, 1954-1974, n.d., contains research and subject files on various projects from Becker's career including, but not limited to, wind tunnels, hypersonic and supersonic flight, the X-15 (and precursors and successors), Dyna-Soar, and active cooling programs. In addition, this series contains notes from meetings with supervisors, project partners, committees. This series may also have correspondence not located in Series I.

Physical location:
Please note: This collection is in off-site storage and requires 2-3 days notice for retrieval. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives for more information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard