General Dynamics Astronautics Special Collection., 1954-1995

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Summary

Title:
General Dynamics Astronautics Special Collection
Dates:
1954-1995
Abstract:
The paraphernalia of this collection comes from Stan Hodges, Art Director at Convair in the mid-1950s and 1960s. He designed many of the posters that were placed in the plant, as well as the General Dynamics sign.
Extent:
.5 Cubic Feet This is a two box collection with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches and 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 2 ½ inches. The contains mainly corporate documents – mostly publications and periodicals, booklets, a calendar, a sign catalog, reports, photographs, posters, and 35mm slides.
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Please credit the San Diego Air and Space Museum's Library and Archives.

Background

Scope and content:

This is a two box collection with measurements 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches and 12 ¼ x 10 ½ x 2 ½ inches. The contains mainly corporate documents – mostly publications and periodicals, booklets, a calendar, a sign catalog, reports, photographs, posters, and 35mm slides. Included in this collection are some General Dynamics patches, commemorative coins, decals, and tie tacks – all of which can be found in the curatorial department. Two General Dynamics newsletters (Both of them Astronautic Ed., Vol. 17, No. 17, August 12, 1964) have been removed from this collection and placed in the General Dynamics Newsletter Collection. One oversized poster has been placed in the Oversized Material Special Collection, OMSC_00001.

Biographical / historical:

The Convair division of General Dynamics Corporation initially was tasked with the development of the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile, which later became the vehicle to transport vehicles and men into space. In 1955 and 1956, measures were taken create a separate division of Convair in order to work on the Atlas Model 7 Project. The new division was known as Astronautics. General Dynamics directors voted to acquire land and to build an Astronautics plant in San Diego. A similar amount was provided by the Air Force for equipment. Another milestone in 1956 was the beginning of construction of the Atlas plant in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. The following year, Astronautics formally became an operating division of Convair. An Atlas component test facility was constructed at Point Loma, San Diego. Other missile test facilities were established at Edwards Rocket Site north of Los Angeles and at Sycamore Canyon near San Diego. In June 1961, the official name of Convair-Astronautics changed to General Dynamics Astronautics.

Acquisition information:
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Alan Renga
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2016-01-04 16:21:47 +0000 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

The collection is open to researchers by appointment.

Terms of access:

Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.

Preferred citation:

Please credit the San Diego Air and Space Museum's Library and Archives.

Location of this collection:
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101, US
Contact:
(619) 234-8291
archives@sdasm.org
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