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The collection consists of archival items relating to carbon fiber development by Dr. Edward Epremian.
The development of carbon fiber materials represented a major breakthrough in aeronautical materials engineering, as the material provides a superior strength-to-weight ratio, enabling lighter but stronger airframes that are more fuel-efficient and can be built with fewer parts. The material was originally developed for military applications but has since been an important material for civilian aviation applications. Dr. Edward Epremian was the general manager of the Advanced Materials Department, Union Carbide Corporation (UCC), and headed the team of scientists that researched and produced carbon fibers as part of a contract for the US Air Force.
NASM.2023.0008
Union Carbide Corporation
1967-1970
2007
Jeff Epremian, Gift, 2022, NASM.2023.0008
0.2 Cubic feet (One slim letter box)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
The collection consists of the following archival items: Thornel: High Modulus Graphite Fiber UCC marketing kit; labels; lecture note cards; fifteen 35 mm slides used for presentations; various technical papers and articles written by Dr. Edward Epremian on carbon fiber development and UCC Thornel products; and a 2007 high school paper written by Gregory Epremian on carbon fiber and the role his grandfather, Dr. Edward Epremian, played.
Arranged by material type.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests.
No restrictions on access
Carbon Fiber Collection, NASM.2023.0008, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Aerospace engineering
Carbon fibers
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Papers, technical