Hohmann (Bernhard) papers, 1933-1984

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Summary

Title:
Bernhard Hohmann papers
Dates:
1933-1984
Abstract:
Materials related to the life and career of Bernhard Hohmann, a German aircraft engineer, test pilot, and space program director who emigrated to the United States after World War II and worked in the aviation and aerospace industry. Materials date from his time in Germany encompassing 1933 to 1946, through his work with the United States space program from 1956 to 1970.
Extent:
13.3 Linear Feet (7 boxes and 2 tubes)
Language:
Materials are in English and German.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Bernhard Hohmann papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Background

Scope and content:

Collection includes items related to Hohmann's life and career in Germany and the United States. German materials include photographs and publications from his pre-war work as a glider pilot, wartime documents and correspondence related to his postings and employment, flight maps, manuals, and ephemera. There are also many personal photographs, a Hohmann family history, and a photo-illustrated account of Bernhard and Irmgard's dangerous departure from Peenemünde in 1945, created by Irmgard Hohmann. United States space program materials include Hohmann's notes about flight testing, lecture materials, internal reports, press release photos, a test flight map, printed ephemera, and newspaper articles. There is also some personal material related to Hohmann's work and membership in professional organizations, personal photographs of Bernhard and Irmgard, and memorabilia.

Biographical / historical:

Bernhard Hohmann was born in Germany in 1916. He was a glider pilot and engineer, and joined the Luftwaffe as a test pilot during World War II. Hohmann was stationed at the Peenemünde Army Research Center where he made test flights of the Messerschmitt Me 163 Komet, a rocket powered fighter aircraft. After the war, Hohmann surrendered to Allied forces and by 1947 was working at Wright Field, now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, near Dayton, Ohio. Hohmann became Chief of the Flight Development section before leaving in 1957 to take a job with the Aerospace Corporation, in El Segundo, California. Hohmann worked extensively with the Mercury and Gemini space programs, particularly on astronaut flight safety. Hohmann was married to Irmgard Kaufmann Hohmann, who joined him in the United States while he was at Wright Field. The Hohmanns lived in Pacific Palisades, California, and had no children. Bernhard Hohmann died in 1984.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Simon Johnston and Ros Cross, May 2022.
Processing information:

Processed at the time of accessioning by Kelly Kress in July 2022. Materials were organized into binders by donor. Most binders were left intact; a few were disassembled and materials foldered.

Arrangement:

Organized in the following series:

  • Series 1. Germany, 1933-1946
  • Series 2. United States space program, 1956-1984
Physical / technical requirements:

NOT AVAILABLE: Box 5: 35mm film unavailable until reformatted.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Kelly Kress
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2022-07-29 11:15:12 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at the Huntington Library for more information.

Terms of access:

The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining necessary permissions rests with the researcher.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item]. Bernhard Hohmann papers, The Huntington Library, San Marino, California.

Location of this collection:
1151 Oxford Road
San Marino, CA 91108, US
Contact:
(626) 405-2191
reference@huntington.org
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