Alfred Loedding
Alfred Loedding | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alfred Christian Loedding February 17, 1906 Princeton, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1963 (aged 57) Albuquerque, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Education | Auburn University (BS, 1929) |
| Known for | Project Sign, Low-aspect-ratio aircraft (Lenticular aircraft), Flying disc designs |
| Title | Technical Director, Project Sign |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Aerospace engineering, Aeronautics |
| Workplaces | Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Bell Aircraft Loedding Engineering Co. |
Alfred Christian Loedding (February 17, 1906 – October 10, 1963) was an American aeronautical engineer.[2][3] He was a pioneer in the development of solid-fuel rockets.[3]
Early life
In 1928, Loedding was vice-president of the student flying club and was profiled for a model he made of Charles Lindbergh's plane The Spirit of St. Louis.[4][5] In 1929, Loedding graduated from the Alabama Polytechnic Institute with a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering. He subsequently completed advanced studies in aeronautical engineering at New York University's Daniel Guggenheim School of Aeronautics in 1930.[6][7] He received the school's Guggenheim award.[3] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the air service.[8]
Career
In 1937, he was employed by Bellanca Aircraft.[2] He was profiled for his work on rocket planes.[1] From 1938 to 1950, the Army Air Force, later US Air Force. For three years he led the Jet Propulsion Lab at Wright Field.[9] He was involved in the development of solid-fueled rockets.[10][11] In 1939, he was involved in model plane contests, serving both as a judge and an award-winning participant.[12][13] In 1941, he accompanied Robert Goddard to Roswell army airfield for a test.[14][3] He later observed tests conducted by Jack Parsons and Aerojet. [15] Loedding was involved in Project Sign, the Air Force's investigation into flying discs or UFOs.[16] He conducted a 1949 lecture at University of Pittsburgh.[17] In 1958, Loedding was profiled after being awarded a patent for a solid-fueled military rocket.[18][9] In 1959, he was profiled and photographed with a model he called a 'flying pumpkin seed'.[19]
Loedding was instrumental to the development of air-to-air refueling systems.[3] Loedding died in 1963.[3] In 2013, his son Donald Loedding published a book that discussed his famous father.[20]
References
- 1 2 "Rocket Planes Visualized By New Castle Engineer". The News Journal. February 2, 1938. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Alfred Loedding, 57, Succumbs". Richmond Times-Dispatch. October 11, 1963. p. 4 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Nasa Official Dies". Daily Press. October 11, 1963. p. 44 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Baden Student Builds Model of Lindy's Plane". The Pittsburgh Press. March 18, 1928. p. 67 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Engineering Students Form Flying Club". The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. April 7, 1928. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Class Notes: 1929". Auburn Alumnews. 15 (2). Alabama Polytechnic Institute. 1930.
Alfred C. Loedding, M.E. '29, is currently pursuing advanced aeronautical research in New York.
- ↑ "Internet Archive". Page 82 explicitly states: "In 1930 Loedding graduated from the Daniel Guggenheim School of Aeronautics at New York University.". Retrieved 6 May 2026.
- ↑ "Commissions Given Three Reading Men". Reading Times. July 3, 1930. p. 13 – via newspapers.com.
- 1 2 "Ambridge Man Planning Practical Flying Saucer". The Pittsburgh Press. November 2, 1952. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Local Group Hears About Rocket Planes". Palladium-Item. February 24, 1939. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Rocket Ship To Be Shown Here Sunday". Palladium-Item. June 16, 1939. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Large Number of Entries Expected in Design Test". Dayton Daily News. December 24, 1939. p. 17 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "'Rocketair' Wins Originality-Event". The Pittsburgh Press. May 28, 1939. p. 25 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Lehman, Milton (May 12, 1963). "This High Man: The Life of Robert H. Goddard". Farrar, Straus – via Google Books.
- ↑ Carter, John (April 1, 2005). Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons. Feral House. ISBN 978-1-932595-66-6 – via Google Books.
- ↑ Tucker, S. D. (15 June 2017). Space Oddities: Our Strange Attempts to Explain the Universe. Amberley Publishing Limited. ISBN 978-1-4456-6263-3.
- ↑ "Field Aids To Lecture At Pittsburgh College". The Journal Herald. March 30, 1949. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Patents of the Week: 9 1/2-inch Military Rocket, Unique Fuel Invented". Tallahassee Democrat. October 25, 1958. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ "Make Way For Flying Pumpkin Seed". Dayton Daily News. February 22, 1959. p. 101 – via newspapers.com.
- ↑ Loedding, Donald R. (March 14, 2013). Global Warming: the Iceman Cometh (And Other Cultural Takes). AuthorHouse. ISBN 978-1-4817-2227-8 – via Google Books.