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 Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity pin (numbered 6314 on the reverse) belonged to the American rocket pioneer Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945). Goddard was initiated into this fraternity on January 31, 1908 while attending Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts. Later a professor of physics at Clark University, Goddard launched the world's first liquid fuel rocket on March 16, 1926 and made many advances in rocket technology thereafter. From 1942-1945, he undertook developmental work for the Navy in adapting the liquid fuel rocket as Jet Assited Take-Off units for aircraft. Goddard died on August 9,1945.

In the late 1950s, Mrs. Esther Goddard sent the pin, along with some other of Dr. Goddard's personal mementos, to the National Air Museum for an exhibit put together by Paul Garber. After the end of the exhibit, Garber kept the items for safekeeping. The National Air and Space Museum formally accessioned the objects, already in present in the collection, in 1975.

 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 1908 Country of Origin United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-People Dimensions 3-D: 1.9 × 1.1 × 0.6cm (3/4 × 7/16 × 1/4 in.)
Storage: 5.1 × 5.1 × 3.8cm (2 × 2 × 1 1/2 in.)
 Materials Copper Alloy
Enamel
 Inventory Number A19751511000 Credit Line Gift of Mrs. Robert Goddard Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.