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Ruckstell (Glover Edwin) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10120  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Related Materials
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use
  • Scope and Contents
  • Preferred Citation

  • Language of Material: English
    Contributing Institution: San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
    Title: Glover Edwin Ruckstell Personal Papers
    creator: Ruckstell, Glover Edwin
    Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10120
    Physical Description: 0.45 Cubic Feet one archive box, 15x5x10.5 in,
    Date (inclusive): 1891-1963
    Abstract: This collection contains the personal papers of G.E. Ruckstell. He was involved in early design and manufacturing of both automobiles and airplanes.
    Language of Material: English

    Related Materials

    Related SDASM Resources: LB 055 Glover E. Ruckstell, logbooks May 1928- October 1941 (3 books)

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

    Biographical / Historical

    A mechanical and aeronautical engineer, not really remembered as a driver, Glover was more behind the scenes, firstly as Mercer team manager, and then found fame by developing the two speed rear axle which would be adopted by Ford’s Model T trucks. While he had been involved in automobile racing, aviation was his main interest. He became head of the Hall Scott Airplane department, before setting up his own manufacturing company, being closely intertwined with Ford. A licensed pilot and engine mechanic, he founded the company, Grand Canyon-Boulder Dam Tours, which was the first enterprise to provide comprehensive tourist services.
    His background in automobile and machine shops earned him a World War I commission in the United States of America Aeroservice Aircraft Production Department.

    Conditions Governing Access

    This collection is open to the public by appointment.

    Conditions Governing Use

    For copyright and use restrictions please consult the library director.

    Scope and Contents

    This collection is contained in one archive box, 15x5x10.5 in, and it has 10 folders. The first portion of the items in this collection are correspondence Ruckstell obtained during World War I, from February to August 1918. It should be noted that Ruckstell was also known by “Roxy” and any mention of such in the collection refers to Ruckstell himself. The collection also contains general correspondence, references and applications for Ruckstell to join the United States Navy Reserve, and identification cards and certificates. Additionally there are documents from the beginnings of Ruckstell Corporation and advertisements for the Ruckstell Axle. Also, there are letters and applications to join the Who’s Who Society, as well as legal documents from the Aerojet-Hayward-Ruckstell Negotiations, two log books, and other miscellaneous documents. Papers which were stapled together have remained in their original order and have been organized by the date on the first page. Those pages, since they were stapled as one unit, are listed under the same number in the box listing and individual documents within that unit are separated from one another with a semi colon.

    Preferred Citation

    [Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum Library & Archives”]

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Curtiss-Wright Aircraft
    Liberty L-12 Engine
    Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
    Hall-Scott Motor Car Company
    De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited
    Grand Canyon (Ariz.) -- Tours
    Hall, E.J. (Hall, Elbert John)
    Grand Canyon Airlines
    Ruckstell, Glover Edwin