The American Society of Mechanical Engineers awarded this gold medal to Dr. Charles Stark Draper as part of the Holley Medal award given in 1957. Established in 1924 to honor Alexander Lyman Holley, one of the founding members of the Society, the award recognizes an individual who by some unique act of an engineering nature has accomplished a great and timely benefit. As an accomplished engineer, a long-time Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor, and the "father of inertial guidance," Dr. Draper received the award "for the development of a system of control for guns firing from moving platforms at rapidly moving targets through revolutionary principles." Dr. Draper donated the medal to the Museum in 1974.
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
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
AWARDS-Medals & Ribbons
Dimensions
3-D: 1.3 x 6.4cm (1/2 x 2 1/2 in.)
Materials
Medal is 14k gold.
Inventory Number
A19800495000
Credit Line
Gift of Dr. Charles S. Draper
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.