Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

This is a patent model for an improved skyrocket patented by Phillipp Licht of East Williamsburg, New York, on 19 November 1872. Licht's improvement was four short sticks projecting from sockets at the rear of the rocket. These served as a launch stand as well as helping to stabilize the rocket.

For centuries, the ordinary fireworks rocket, also known as a skyrocket, was stabilized in its flight by a long wooden guidestick lashed to its side. This made skyrockets difficult to store and transport. The main advantage of Licht’s arrangement was that the shorter and detachable sticks allowed greater portability. For transport, the sticks could carried separately and placed into their sockets when the rocket was ready to be fired. Licht was a professional pyrotechnicist, but there is no indication his improvement was adopted by others.

Alan D. Dunphy gave this patent model to the Smithsonian in 1983.

 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 1872 Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer Philipp Licht
 Dimensions Overall: 4 1/2in. x 2ft 1in. x 3 1/4in. (11.43 x 63.5 x 8.26cm)
 Materials Overall, cardboard; sticks, wood; sockets for mounting guidesticks, steel
 Inventory Number A19830022000 Credit Line Gift of Alan D. Dunphy Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.