Earl A. Thornton Collection
Scope and Content
The Earl A. Thornton collection contains research files, personal notes, audio recordings, videocassettes, photographs, and publications on the fields of aviation, aeronautics, and aerospace. The research files include files on individuals and subject files, as well as publications.
Individuals listed include: Sir George Cayley, Octave Chanute, William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow, Frederick W. Lanchester, S.P. Langley, Otto Lilienthal, Charles Matthews Manly, Charles Fayette Taylor, Theodore von Karman, Edward P. Warner, Francis Herbert Wenham, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Pearl I. Young, and Alfred F. Zahm. Topics include: Aerodynamics, Aeronautical Education Development, Aviation Progress, Challenger Launch Decision, Development of Aircraft Structures, The Evolution of Aircraft Design, Metal Airplane Construction, Propulsion, Structures History, Trusses, Wilbur Wright Memorial Lectures, and Wing Spars and Beam Columns.
Dates
- Creation: 1885 - 1998
Creator
- Thornton, Earl A. (Earl Arthur), 1936- (Person)
- Thornton, Earl A. (Earl Arthur), 1936- (Collector, Person)
Access Restrictions
Collection is open to research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish material from the Earl A. Thornton Collection must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.
Biographical Information
Earl Arthur Thornton was born to Dora Weatherly Thornton and John S. Thornton in 1936. He has a brother, John S. Thornton, Jr. and a sister Elizabeth Thornton Gardner. He is married to Margaret Thornton and resides in Virginia.
Earl A. Thornton graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. Thornton went on to the University of Illinois to complete his Master's degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics before returning to Virginia Tech for a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering. Thornton graduated from Virginia Tech in 1968 and joined the professoriate. Thornton served at Old Dominion University (1969-1986), was a visiting scholar at the University of Texas (1987-88), and worked at the University of Virginia (1989-1999) until his retirement on May 24, 1999.Thornton authored books on thermal structures and the finite element method and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. Thornton is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
Sources:
http://www.virginia.edu/bov/meetings/99mar/resolutionminutes.html
http://www.johnowens.info/TyrrellNews/feb2004.htm
Full Extent
4.9 Cubic Feet (8 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
The collection includes research files, personal notes, audio recordings, videocassettes, photographs, and publications collected by engineer and Professor Earl A. Thornton on the fields of aviation, aeronautics, and aerospace.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series-Series I: Publications, 1981-1997, Series II:
Subseries A: Conference Publications contains materials published from conferences held at various NASA facilities and at the Thermal Structures conference held at the University of Virginia, as well as a short course from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
Subseries B: Other Publications contains books, senate hearing transcripts, training programs, journals, and magazines. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
Series II: Research Files has two subseries.
Subseries A: Files on Individuals contains articles, pamphlets, and biographical information on individuals who had an impact on the fields of aviation and/or aeronautical or aerospace engineering and design. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by individual's last name.
Subseries B: Subject Files contain research, articles, and reports on topics related to the field of aviation and aeronautical engineering. The original folder titles were used. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.
Series III: Audio/Visual Materials and Memorabilia has three subseries.
Subseries A: Audiocassettes contain audio taped transcriptions of "13 Famous Aircraft" given on 10-5-1978 by Paul Garber.
Subseries B: Videocassettes contain VHS recordings of documentaries, television programs, and films all related to aviation and aerospace science.
Subseries C: Prints and Memorabilia contain airplane illustrations, pamphlets, promotional photo reproductions, posters, and a visor. This series is arranged by material type.
Acquisition Information
The Earl A. Thornton Collection was donated to Special Collections.
Separated Material
Thornton, Earl A. Aerospace thermal structures and materials for a new era.Progress in astronautics and aeronautics, v. 168. Washington, DC: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1995.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Earl A. Thornton Collection commenced in May, 2010 and was completed in June, 2010.
Subject
- Title
- A Guide to the Earl A. Thornton Collection, 1885-1998.
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Carmen Boggs-Parker
- Date
- © 2010 By Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. All rights reserved.
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Description is in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu