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This academic regalia (the set includes a robe, mortarboard, and hood) was worn by the American rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945) when he received his doctorate in Physics from Clark University, Worcester, Mass., on June 15, 1911. The black doctoral robe with dark blue velvet trim has Goddard's initials monogrammed on the interior neck of the robe, below the manufacturer's label. Paul E. Garber, the founding curator of what later became the National Air and Space Museum, requested the regalia from Goddard's widow in 1958 for a biographical exhibit about Goddard, who launched the world's first liquid fuel rocket in March 1926.

Because Goddard had lent the outfit to Dr. John Elliott Nafe, who wore it for his own doctoral hooding at Columbia University in 1948, however, it was initially lent to the Museum by Dr. Nafe, a prominent oceanographer and geophysicist. It has been in the Museum's collection ever since.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 1911 Country of Origin United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-People Manufacturer Cotrell and Leonard
 Dimensions Approximate: 10.16 x 142.24 x 76.2cm (4in. x 4ft 8in. x 2ft 6in.)
 Materials Polyester, velvet
 Inventory Number A19580135000 Credit Line Gift of Dr. John Elliott Nafe Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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