Guide to the San José State University Department of Aviation and Technology Records
MSS.2010.06.08
Robert Donahue and Grace Song
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
© 2010
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library
San José State University
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0028
special.collections@sjsu.edu
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
SJSU Special Collections & Archives
Title: San José State University Department of Aviation and Technology Records
source:
San José State University
source:
San Jose State College
creator:
Leonard, Thomas E., 1922-
Identifier/Call Number: MSS.2010.06.08
Physical Description:
10 boxes
(8 linear feet)
Date (inclusive): 1934-1996
Abstract: The San José State University Department of Aviation and Technology Records (1934-1996) include reports and publications concerning
technical reports and test fuel cells for the aviation department, newspaper articles, instructional materials, audio cassette
tapes, papers and publications concerning the department, the Flying 20, a student flying organization associated with the
Aviation Department, and many photographs depicting students and professors.
Access
The collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has been assigned to the San José State University Library Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication
is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include
or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader. Copyright restrictions also apply
to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.
Preferred Citation
San José State University Department of Aviation and Technology Records, MSS-2010-06-08, San José State University Library
Special Collections & Archives.
Project Information
This finding aid was created as part of the Survey and Cataloging Project, a two-year San José State University Library grant
project funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. The project began in 2008 with Danelle Moon
as the Project Director and Erin Louthen as the Project Archivist.
Processing Information
Collection processed by Robert Donahue. Finding aid EAD encoded by Robert Donahue. Reviewed by Danelle Moon. Accruals were
added in 2016 and in 2017, and the collection was rearranged in 2017, by Grace Song.
Organizational History
In 1857 the San Francisco Board of Education established Minns' Evening Normal School for current and prospective teachers
in the city. Named after its principal, George W. Minns, the institution was formally established as the first California
State Normal School by the State Legislature in 1862. A decade later, the Legislature voted to move the Normal School to San
Jose, and the school relocated to its new home on Washington Square prior to the fall term of 1872. After a fire destroyed
the Normal School building in 1880, the Legislature authorized $200,000 to construct a new building on the same site. Completed
in 1881, the building was commonly referred to as the Second State Normal School. After several names and curriculum changes,
Minns' Normal School is now San José State University, offering more than 134 bachelor's and master's degrees with 110 concentrations,
and is recognized as one of the top public universities granting such degrees in the West.
The San Jose State University Aeronautics Department began in the 1936-1937 school year. At the time it was called the Civil
Pilot Training program and was sponsored by the U.S. government in anticipation of World War II. During World War II, the
Aeronautics Department was used extensively for training pilots for the war and several of the instructors who taught after
1945 had been involved in aviation. In 1945, the Civil Pilot Training program became the Aeronautics Department and was located
in the basement of the San Jose State College Physics Building as part of the Engineering and Mathematics Program. The Aeronautics
Department was renamed the Aviation Department in 1988 and in 2001 again was renamed the Aviation and Technology Department.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into eight series: Series I. Technical Reports (1951-1968); Series II. T.E. Leonard Papers (1953-1995);
Series III. News Clippings and Publications (1934-1993); Series IV. Event Programs and Brochures (1950-1995); Series V. Student
Papers (1934-1996); Series VI. Photographs (1938-1994); Series VII. Instructional Materials (undated); and Series VIII. Audio
Cassette Tapes (1974-1983).
Subjects and Indexing Terms
San José State University -- History
Aeronautics -- California -- San Jose
San José State University Aeronautics Dept. -- History
San José State University Aviation Dept. -- History
San José State University
San Jose State College
Leonard, Thomas E., 1922-
Series I: Technical Reports
1951-1968
Series Scope and Content Summary
The series Technical Reports (1951-1968) mainly includes technical reports and papers concerning the building of a fuel test
cell facility within the Aviation department, reports on noise suppression for the test cell, fuel studies, as well as technical
information from different companies and corporations. These were presumably used in the aviation department’s classes and
lab sessions by students and professors, and/or for ordering certain parts or supplies from different companies.
Arrangement
This series is arranged in its original order. No arrangement was made based on chronological or alphabetical order.
Box 1, Folder 1
Survey of Motor Gasoline Quality
1958 April
Box 1, Folder 2
Ethyl Technical Notes (Book)
Undated
Box 1, Folder 3
Fuel Studies, Reports, and Published Articles
Undated
Box 1, Folder 4
Fuel Studies, Reports, and Published Articles
Undated
Box 1, Folder 5
Fuel Studies, Reports, and Published Articles
Undated
Box 1, Folder 6
Fuel Studies, Reports, etc.
Undated
Box 1, Folder 7
Sound Control for Industry
Undated
Box 1, Folder 8
Noise Control Analyses and Tests for Air Force Bases
1951
Box 1, Folder 9
Engine/Cell Testing
1953-1955
Box 1, Folder 10
Bolt Beranek and Newman Consultants in Acoustics
1951 August - 1952 May
Box 1, Folder 11
JT3, JT3D, JT4 Gas Turbine Installation Handbooks
1956-1959
Box 1, Folder 12
General Sound Control, Inc.
circa 1958
Box 1, Folder 13
Maxim Silencer Company
1958
Box 1, Folder 14
Naval Postgraduate School
circa 1958
Box 1, Folder 15
Pan American World Airways Jet Test Cell
1958 November
Box 1, Folder 16
Silence, Inc.
1958 November
Box 1, Folder 17
Amarillo Air Force Base
circa 1959
Box 1, Folder 18
Sigma Engineering Company Ear-Valvs
1959 January
Box 1, Folder 19
U.S. Air Force Academy - Colorado
1959 April
Box 1, Folder 20
Engine Run-Up Stand Diagrams and Information
circa 1959
Box 1, Folder 21
Link Aviation, Inc.
circa 1960
Box 1, Folder 22
Trans World Airlines, Inc. Test Cell Information
1960 August
Box 1, Folder 23
Koppers Company, Inc. Sound Control
circa 1960-1962
Box 1, Folder 24
Jet Engine Test Cells (Correspondence)
1961
Box 1, Folder 26
Pratt & Whitney Aircraft
1961 June
Box 1, Folder 27
Rover Gas Turbines
1961 September - October
Box 2, Folder 2
Test Cell - Correspondence
1958-1964
Box 2, Folder 4
Photographic Sequence Showing: Disassembly of Pratt and Whitney Aircraft JT3 Engine
Undated
Box 2, Folder 5
30,000 Pound Thrust Capacity Turbo-Jet Engine Test Facility
Undated
Box 2, Folder 6
Preliminary Instrumentation
Undated
Box 2, Folder 7
TWA Jet Test Cell Intercom System
Undated
Box 2, Folder 8
Energy System/Cell EC-30
1961 September
Box 2, Folder 9
Test Cell Information
Undated
Box 2, Folder 10
United Airlines Test Cell Information
circa 1960 July
Box 2, Folder 11
Shipping and Receiving Forms
circa 1963-1965
Box 2, Folder 12
G.E. Equipment Turned Over to the College
1964 November
Box 2, Folder 13
"Items to Complete" List
circa 1962-1968
Box 2, Folder 14
Comments Regarding Controversy Between State of California and G.E.
1964 February
Box 2, Folder 15
Delta Airlines, Inc.
1961 August
Box 2, Folder 16
American Airlines
1960 September
Box 2, Folder 18
Proposed System Design for Aeronautical Test Cells and Facilities
1963 March
Box 2, Folder 19
Facilities Standards for Engineering
1957 March
Box 2, Folder 20
Division of Architecture Instrumentation
1960 September
Box 2, Folder 21
Engine Connector Panel Diagrams
Undated
Box 2, Folder 22
Photographs of Parts
Undated
Box 2, Folder 23
Instrumentation Requirements Reciprocating Test Cell
circa 1961 April
Box 2, Folder 24
Division of Architecture and Kittell-Lacy, Inc. San Jose State College Aeronautical Test Cell
1961 May
Box 2, Folder 25
Sound Data Parameters
1961 April
Box 2, Folder 26
Consolidated Electrodynamics
Undated
Box 2, Folder 27
Kittell-Lacy, Inc.
1960 July
Box 2, Folder 28
Adel Precision Products
1959 August
Box 2, Folder 29
Air Logistics Corporation
circa 1960 March
Box 2, Folder 30
General Metrics Company
1962 March
Box 2, Folder 33
Instrumentation and Mechanical Systems (IMS)
1962
Box 2, Folder 34
ITEC Corporation
1958-1961
Box 2, Folder 35
Laboratory Equipment Co. (Industrial Acoustics)
1956-1961
Box 2, Folder 37
Fenwal Electronic, Inc.
Undated
Box 2, Folder 38
Endevco Corporation
Undated
Box 2, Folder 39
Correspondence: Don Edwards
1961 August
Box 2, Folder 40
Dillon and Company, Inc.
Undated
Box 2, Folder 41
Equipment List Test Cell
1961 June
Box 2, Folder 43
Audio-Visual Equipment - Test Cell
1961 July
Box 2, Folder 44
Proposal Specifications for Turbojet Engine and Reciprocating Engine Test Cell
1959 March
Box 2, Folder 45
Koppers Company, Inc. Sound Control
Undated
Box 2, Folder 49
GE Reports
circa 1953-1954
Box 2, Folder 50
Pacific Scientific Company Bill And Control Circuit Line Diagram
1962
Box 5, Folder 1
"Milestones of Flight"
Undated
Series II: T.E. Leonard Papers
1953-1995
Scope and Contents
This series includes the papers of professor and chair of the Aviation Department, Thomas E. Leonard, or T.E. Leonard. The
papers include administrative and logistical documents about the departments of aviation, engineering, and industrial technology.
Some of these include information about the campus buildings. Also included are some papers that document the activities and
interests of Tom Leonard.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folder 1
Engineering Division Administrative Records
1953-1967
Box 3, Folder 2
San Jose State College Annual Reports
1959-1960, 1963-1964
Box 3, Folder 3
Industrial Technology Major
1959-1964
Box 3, Folder 4
Electrical Work for Aeronautics Building
1960 November
Box 3, Folder 5
General Work for Aeronautics Building
1960 November
Box 3, Folder 6
Mechanical Work for Aeronautics Building
1960 November
Box 3, Folder 7
Link Foundation Annual Reports
1961-1964
Box 3, Folder 8
News Clippings About SJSU Aeronautics Department
1962-1968
Box 3, Folder 9
Engineering Student Publication, The Rule
1964 November
Series III: News Clippings and Publications
1934-1993
Scope and Contents
Series III, News Clippings and Publications (1934-1993) consists of clippings from newspapers as well as magazines and other
publications about aviation. Most of the clippings are from local newspapers such as the San Jose Mercury News, and SJSU publications,
like the Spartan Daily. Most of these articles are about the department's accomplishments.
Included are news articles concerning the department, a scrapbook concerning a 1981 air collision in San José, and news concerning
the Flying 20, a student organization associated with San José State University. The Flying 20 was originally formed in San
Jose in 1939 for flight enthusiasts associated with San Jose State College. After the passing of California Executive Order
82, which prohibits university students from using non-commercial carriers for university-related activities, the Flying 20
club and other California flying clubs lost access to university funds. Many of the articles in this series chronicle the
Flying 20's attempt to change or repeal California Executive Order 82.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folder 12
News Articles from Spartan Daily and San Jose Mercury
1934-1946
Box 3, Folder 13
Aviation Publications/Magazines (Preflight, High Pitch, FAA Horizons, Air Progress)
1942-1968
Box 3, Folder 14
News Clipping on Women in Army Hospitals
1943 July 17
Box 3, Folder 15
News Clipping on Major Edner
1943 November 20
Box 3, Folder 16
News Clipping on Bill Odom
1949 March 8
Box 3, Folder 17
San Jose State College Publications
1964, 1969
Box 3, Folder 18
News Clippings (1 of 2)
circa 1968-1989
Box 3, Folder 19
News Clippings (2 of 2)
circa 1968-1989
Box 3, Folder 20
Aviation Publications/Magazines
1974, 1987, 1990
Box 3, Folder 21
Spartan Daily Articles on Aviation Department
1978, 1987, 1992
Box 3, Folder 22
Newspaper Articles
circa 1979, 1989
Box 3, Folder 23
California/San Jose Newspaper Articles
1988-1993
Box 3, Folder 24
"Will Fly for Food" Cartoon
1992-1993
Box 5, Folder 2
News Clipping on Eileen Collins, Air Force Lieutenant Colonel
Undated
Series IV: Event Programs and Brochures
1950-1995
Scope and Contents
Series IV, Event Programs and Brochures (1950-1995), includes information about the department’s various events, such as commencement
ceremonies, retirement parties, Air Youth Day, Aero Crash, the Alpha Eta Rho fraternity, and more. These are mostly in the
form of brochures, pamphlets, flyers, and programs.
Arrangement
The series is arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folder 25
Aeronautics/Department of Aviation Informational Programs
1950-1951, undated
Box 3, Folder 26
Air Youth Day Programs
1954, 1984
Box 5, Folder 3
Aero Crash Event Flyer
1970 May 23
Box 3, Folder 27
SJSU Department of Aviation Commencement Ceremonies/Graduation Receptions
1986, 1991
Box 3, Folder 28
SJSU Department of Aviation Events
1986, 1991
Box 3, Folder 29
Aviation Department Commencement
1991
Box 3, Folder 30
SJSU Department of Aviation and Technology
1991, 1995
Box 3, Folder 31
Graduation and Retirement Event Invitations
1993-1995
Box 5, Folder 4
Aero Crash Event Poster
Undated
Box 3, Folder 32
Alpha Eta Rho Fraternity
Undated
Series V: Student Papers
1934-1996
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Scope and Contents
Series V, Student Papers (1934-1996), includes a small sample of the department’s student work, including a scrapbook and
a paper on the history of aviation in the Santa Clara Valley.
Box 5, Folder 8
Scrapbook (Jim Craddock)
circa 1934
Box 3, Folder 35
Lee Dorn Memorial (?)
circa 1967
Box 3, Folder 33
History of Aviation in the Santa Clara Valley
1977
Series VI: Photographs
1938-1994
Scope and Contents
The photographs series spans from 1938 to 1994, and includes a variety of photographic prints, slides, and negatives that
depict students in the “Aero Lab,” aviation-related events and conventions/conferences, key people in the aviation department,
aircrafts, and more. They depict the different incarnations of the Aviation Lab and the department's equipment, conferences
or social gatherings, such as the Federal Aviation Administration Flight Instructor's Seminar. Of note, one department scrapbook
includes famous pilots including Amelia Earhart, Sir Charles Kingsford, Charles Lindbergh, and there is also a photograph
of a department professor meeting U.S. President Ronald Reagan. These photographs illustrate the livelihood and happenings
within the department and beyond.
Arrangement
This series is arranged chronologically.
Box 3, Folder 37
Aviation Conference (?)
circa 1950-1959
Box 3, Folder 38
Smaller Photos (Miscellaneous)
circa 1960-1980, undated
Box 3, Folder 39
Meeting at Bakersfield
1962 October 6
Box 3, Folder 40
Dedication, Halaby
1964 April 10
Box 3, Folder 41
Photos of Students Working
circa 1969, undated
Box 4, Folder 33
Photos of Students, Aircrafts, Events, and Aero Classes
circa 1970-1984
Box 4, Folder 1
Aviation Conference
circa 1977 (?)
Box 4, Folder 26
Photos of Aero Lab and Aircraft Students
circa 1979-1980
Box 4, Folder 2
Aero Graduation Photos
1980-1985
Box 4, Folder 3
Correspondence Between Ralph Mitchell and Dr. H. Gene Little
1986 February
Box 4, Folder 4
Slides (Aviation, General SJSU)
1994 June
Box 4, Folder 6
Aeronautics Test Cell Project
Undated
Box 4, Folder 7
Airport Illustration (?)
Undated
Box 4, Folder 8
Alpha Eta Rho, Crash Event, and Other Student Gatherings
Undated
Box 4, Folder 9
Alpha Eta Rho Student
Undated
Box 4, Folder 10
Boeing-Wind Tunnel Models - SST
Undated
Box 4, Folder 11
History Book Photos
Undated
Box 4, Folder 12
FAA Flight Instructor's Clinic
Undated
Box 5, Folder 5
Large Photographic Prints of Aeronautics Lab and Engineers
Undated
Box 4, Folder 13
Loose Negative (Fragile)
Undated
Box 4, Folder 14
Miscellaneous Department of Air Force Photos
Undated
Box 4, Folder 15
Miscellaneous Photos
Undated
Box 4, Folder 16
Miscellaneous Photos from a Meeting/Event
Undated
Box 4, Folder 17
Miscellaneous Photos from Events and Classes
Undated
Box 5, Folder 6
Miscellaneous Print
Undated
Box 4, Folder 18
Mounted Photo: Aircraft Engine Assembly
Undated
Box 4, Folder 19
Mounted Photo: Cessna Aircraft in Preparation for Painting
Undated
Box 4, Folder 20
Mounted Photo: Inspection and Materials Laboratory
Undated
Box 4, Folder 21
Mounted Photo: Power Plants Laboratory
Undated
Box 4, Folder 22
Mounted Photo: Strain Gage Applied to Engine for Performance and Stress Studies
Undated
Box 4, Folder 23
Mounted Photo: Supersonic Tunnel Working Section with Double-Delta Wing Model
Undated
Box 5, Folder 9
Photo Album/Scrapbook (Includes Some News Clippings)
Undated
Box 4, Folder 25
Photos and Negatives of Lab
Undated
Box 4, Folder 27
Photos of Aircrafts and San Jose Airport
Undated
Box 4, Folder 28
Photos of Aircrafts, Flight Views, Students, etc.
Undated
Box 4, Folder 29
Photos of Aircrafts, Lab Spaces, and Reagan
Undated
Box 4, Folder 30
Photos of Classes, Students, and Events
Undated
Box 4, Folder 31
Photos of Events, Classes, etc.
Undated
Box 4, Folder 32
Photos of Events, Students, and Classes
Undated
Box 4, Folder 34
Signed Photos of Richard J. Hieb and Catherine Coleman to Tom Leonard
Undated
Series VII: Instructional Materials
Undated
Scope and Contents
The seventh series, Instructional Materials (undated), contains a collection of prints and lantern slides that functioned
as instructional materials shown during class times. These prints and slides cover a wide variety of topics under the umbrella
of aviation, from the history of flying and of aviation to various aircraft models.
Arrangement
This series is arranged in two sub-series: 1. Prints; and 2. Lantern Slides. The materials in each sub-series are arranged
in original order.
Sub-Series 2: Lantern Slides
Box 6, Envelopes 1-74
Lantern Slides (1 of 4)
Undated
Box 7, Envelopes 1-71
Lantern Slides (2 of 4)
Undated
Box 8, Envelopes 1-77
Lantern Slides (3 of 4)
Undated
Box 9, Envelopes 1-61
Lantern Slides (4 of 4)
Undated
Series VIII: Audio Cassette Tapes
1974-1983
Scope and Contents
The audio cassette tapes in Series VIII (1974-1983) cover a range of topics that have to do with graduation ceremonies, demonstration
tapes, et cetera. These tapes were found with the lantern slides and corresponding prints, and have not been tested for functionality.
Arrangement
This series is arranged in chronological order.
Box 10, Folder 1
Earl Sams to Tom Leonard
1974
Box 10, Folder 2
"Beech Baron"
circa 1978-1979
Box 10, Folder 4
7-ES-1074 A. and B. The Bald Eagle, Bo Bottom
Undated
Box 10, Folder 5
Demonstration Tape
Undated
Box 10, Folder 7
"The Humorous World of Justin Wilson"
Undated
