Becker, John V. (1913- )

Papers, 1945-86, Ms90-052, 4.0 cu. ft.

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Aerospace engineer, specialist in hypersonic and reentry aerodynamics and a pioneer in the development of hypersonic research aircraft such as the X-15. Received BS (1935, mechanical engineering) and MS (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 (1943-47), chief of the Compressibility Research Division (1947-57), and chief of the Aero-Physics Research Division (1958-74) 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, and Dyna-Soar programs; research files for The High-Speed Frontier; transcripts of oral history interviews; and copies of publications and lectures by Becker.

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