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Alfred Koestler (1934-2014) was born in Kelheim, Germany. He studied engineering for two years at the University of Stuttgart, Germany, before attending Baylor University, Texas, where he received his doctorate in experimental and industrial psychology. Koestler conducted aerospace medical research for the United States Air Force at Holloman in support of Projects Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. He was a Research Psychologist (Physiological and Experimental) in the Comparative Psychology Division's 6571st Aeromedical Research Laboratory. He worked with comparative-experimental psychology in evaluating behavioral performance in chimpanzees in aerospace and related hazardous environments which posed risks to the military and civilian populations. His most notable work was in space decompression studies. After his work at Holloman, he taught at the University of Texas at El Paso, and then became Director of Psychological Services for Blue Bell, Inc. in Greensboro, North Carolina. In 1987 he became Vice President for Human Resources for the US Operations of the Robert Bosch Corporation.

 Identifier

NASM.2015.0011

Creator

Koestler, Alfred., 934-2014

Date

bulk 1960-1975

Provenance

Audrey Koestler, Gift, 2015

Extent

2.5 Cubic feet ((8 boxes))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of 2.5 cubic feet relating to to Dr. Alfred Koestler's research relating to behavioral performance of chimpanzees in aerospace environments, particularly regarding space decompression. The following types of material are included: black and white photography; color prints and slides; newspaper articles; Ham and Enos ink footprints; over 140 4 by 3.25 inch glass-mounted lanterns slides; publications about both the general aeromedical work at Holloman and specifically about the work of Dr. Koestler; and publications authored by Dr. Koestler.

Rights

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

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Holloman Space Decompression Studies [Koestler], Accession 2015-0011, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Astronautics

Chimpanzees

Aviation medicine

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Lantern slides

Photographic prints

Publications