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 invented in 1865 by John W. Hadfield of Newtown, New York. The rocket features three reversible, metal, triangular wings. The wings were turned in when the rocket was packed for shipping, and turned out when it was ready to be fired. They were secured to the rocket body by a clamp. The ordinary fireworks rocket of the day was equipped with a long wooden guidestick lashed to its side. This cumbersome arrangement made such rockets difficult and expensive to transport. Hadfield’s patent did not claim the wings’ originality. Rather, he came up with a way to make the wings reversible, yet insure a controlled flight of the rocket compared with those stabilized with guidesticks. However, it does not appear that Hadfield's 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 1865 Country of Origin United States of America Type MODELS-Missiles & Rockets Manufacturer John W. Hadfield
 Dimensions Overall: 12 x 1in diameter. (30.48 x 2.54cm)
 Materials Cardboard body; sheet iron fins
 Inventory Number A19830020000 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.