By Mary A. Sego, 2009
Title: Ralph S. Johnson papers, 1935-2008
Primary Creator: Johnson, Ralph S. (1906-2010)
Extent: 14.2 Cubic feet. More info below.
Arrangement:
The papers are arranged into five series.
[Series 1: Engineering Drawings, Papers, Articles, DVD, 1941-1948], [Series 2: Newspaper Clippings, Ceritificate, Honorary Doctorate of Engineering, 1992-2008], [Series 3: Memoirs and Biographical Information, 1941-2005], [Series 4: Photographs, ca. 1930-2005], [Series 5: Addendum - January 5, 2012],
Date Acquired: 05/09/2008
Subjects: Aerospace engineering, Airplanes--Piloting, Flight Archives at Purdue University, Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae, United Air Lines
Forms of Material: Articles, Black-and-white photographs, Clippings (Information artifacts), Color photographs, Personal papers
Languages: English
Aerospace engineering
Airplanes--Piloting
Flight Archives at Purdue University
Purdue University--Alumni and alumnae
United Air Lines
Repository: Purdue University Libraries, Archives and Special Collections
Alternate Extent Statement: 1 mss box, 11 cubic foot boxes, 2 flat boxes
Access Restrictions: Collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions: Purdue University, per deed of gift.
Acquisition Source: Ralph S. Johnson
Acquisition Method: Donation.
Preferred Citation: MSA 25, Ralph S. Johnson papers, Archives and Special Collections, Purdue University Libraries
Finding Aid Revision History: Revised by Mary Sego, 2012; EW 10/2012
Other URL: http://collections.lib.purdue.edu/fa/pdf/johnson_r.pdf
Item
1. Family, Purdue and Post-Purdue Album, 1924-circa 1930s [includes various Purdue photographs, dance and event memorabilia]
2. “Pictures and story of my trip to and eight months training as a flying cadet, at March Field, Riverside, California, June 22, 1930 – June 22, 1931” [very descriptive text by Johnson]
3. Album containing certificate of commissioning as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Corps, June 26, 1931; enlistment record, June 16, 1930; honorable discharge, post training, June 30, 1931; letters of recommendation, since there was not a position for Johnson in the military after completion of training; aerial shots of different military fields in early 1930s
4. Photo album containing impressive aerial shots taken during Johnson’s Air Corp training, includes aerial shot over Chicago’s Soldier Field during construction, clippings about Muncie Airport’s Sikorsky amphibian on passenger service between Lake Wawasee and Chicago World’s Fair, where Johnson was employed, post Air Corps training, circa 1930s
5. Photo album, “Graduating at March Field,” Riverside, California, 1931 [includes certificate of graduation and program from graduation exercises, includes incredible aerial shots taken over major cities and air fields during training and bomber formation shots, program from visiting United States Air Corps, commemorating the dedication of the New York City Municipal Airport, Floyd Bennett Field, May 27, 1931]
6. Scrapbook containing photographs and clippings from Johnson’s early career, circa late 1930s-1940s
7. Album, United Air Lines – Pacific Operations, WWII, circa 1940’s [gift from Johnson’s colleague, not original photographs]
8. Photographs of converted cargo planes, Master Equipment Company, Cheyenne, Wyoming (where Johnson was an employee) and clippings dealing with aerial grasshopper spraying, fire ants and forest fire extermination, for which Johnson played a big role, circa 1950s-1960s
