Collection Guide
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Montgomery (John J.) Personal Papers
SDASM.SC.10101
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: John H. Montgomery Personal Papers
source:
Wright, Wilbur
source:
Montgomery, John J. (John Joseph)
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10101
Physical Description:
1.44 Cubic Feet
Four archival boxes 5” X 10” X 12.5”. Many of the items in this collection were damaged by a fire at the museum in 1978.
Date (inclusive): 1858-1911
Abstract: John J. Montgomery was born in Yuba City, California on February 15, 1858. He attended St. Ignatius College and received a
degree in physics. In 1883 he moved from Oakland, CA, to his family’s ranch on Otay Mesa. He began conducting flight experiments
culminating in a glider which he launched in August 1883.
The collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Some copyright may be reserved. Consult with the library director for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this Collection were donated to the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
[Item], [Filing Unit], [Series Title], [Subgroups], [Record Group Title and Number], [Repository “San Diego Air & Space Museum
Library & Archives”]
John J. Montgomery was born in Yuba City, California on February 15, 1858. He attended St. Ignatius College and received a
degree in physics. In 1883 he moved from Oakland, CA, to his family’s ranch on Otay Mesa. According to his biography, in that
year he saw a flock of pelicans, studied their movements, and their shapes, and reasoned that if birds could be supported
in the air, why not a man?
He began conducting flight experiments culminating in a glider which he launched in August 1883. This glider flew a total
of 600 feet and landed safely. He continued his experiments with gliders, making a different design in 1894. In 1905 he moved
to Santa Clara, CA, and became a Professor at the University of Santa Clara, and in the meantime designed and flew the Evergreen
glider and continued his experiments. During this time, he patented various control systems. In October 1911, Montgomery was
killed while flying his latest design.
Decades later, however, there emerged some controversy regarding the viability of his first glider design, though it is still
largely believed to have taken place. In 1973 a contest was proposed to settle this controversy. There were no clear winners.
Four archival boxes 5” X 10” X 12.5”. Many of the items in this collection were damaged by a fire at the museum in 1978.
Due to space and preservation requirements, the original collection has been reorganized within the original order. The original
Monuments and Memorials folder was divided in two folders: Monuments and Memorials, and Montgomery Monument, focusing on the
monument in Chula Vista.
Due to size, the John J. Montgomery folder was divided into two parts. The Glider Drawings and Information Files were divided
into two parts. Additional materials found loose in the original container were assembled into The Additional Montgomery Articles
and Information folder numbers I and II.
Note: Only items of particular relevance have been individually listed in the Box Listing.
Related SDASM Resources: Montgomery Manuscript Soaring Flight 1893-1895.
Quest for Flight: John J. Montgomery and the Dawn of Aviation in the West Hardcover –
by Craig S. Harwood, Gary B. Fogel Hardcover: 256 pages
Publisher: University of Oklahoma Press (October 26, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0806142642
ISBN-13: 978-0806142647
Subjects and Indexing Terms
University of Santa Clara
Gliders (Aeronautics)
Otay Ranch
Wright, Wilbur
Wright, Orville
Waterman, Waldo Dean
Chanute, Octave
Montgomery, John J. (John Joseph)