John V. Becker Papers

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).

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.