{"id":809,"date":"2026-05-27T12:14:09","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:14:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/?p=809"},"modified":"2026-05-27T12:14:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T16:14:09","slug":"from-dream-to-destiny","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/from-dream-to-destiny\/","title":{"rendered":"From Dream to Destiny"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-intro-wrapper one-scroll is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"min-height:100vh;margin-top:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-intro home-intro-1 sticky has-true-black-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-76826b07259cd5d4a769a3af19ed9870 is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-bottom:25vh\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover alignfull is-light has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-center\"><video class=\"wp-block-cover__video-background intrinsic-ignore\" autoplay muted loop playsinline src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/night-sky.mp4\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"><\/video><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2287dc143c0606f182dafb9d74c060f5 is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fa38c63a wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-b7254e18\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center has-body-font-family\" id=\"h-from-dream-to-destiny\" style=\"font-size:4.9rem;font-style:normal;font-weight:300\">From Dream <br>to Destiny<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:0px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer wp-container-content-8e98ba44\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-d6b9ab57 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"min-height:120vh\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#000000a3\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-intro has-large-font-size\">100 years ago, Robert H. Goddard put humanity aboard a rocket ride to the future<\/p>\n\n\n<div style=\"color:inherit\" class=\"eyebrow  has-text-align-left\">By Jim Keogh<br>Photographs by Steve King<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>As a boy, Robert Goddard would climb into the cherry tree in his yard and gaze into the night sky. He didn\u2019t wish upon the stars, but instead envisioned how to reach them, like the characters in his favorite H.G. Wells novels. Years later, in his high school commencement address, he told his fellow graduates, \u201cThe dream of yesterday is the hope of today and the reality of tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On March 16, 1926, Goddard, now a Clark-trained scientist, launched a liquid fuel rocket into the sky from the frozen ground of his Aunt Effie\u2019s farm in Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket flew 41 feet into the air and landed 184 feet away, traveling for 2.5 seconds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They were 2.5 seconds that changed the world.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Goddard had met his dream head on. Just four decades after that launch in Auburn, his pioneering experiments would help put astronauts on the moon and inspire generations to consider the possibilities of interplanetary travel. He\u2019d removed the \u201cfiction\u201d from science fiction and made a defiant leap into the cosmos, the destination endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the following pages, we celebrate the 100th anniversary of Goddard\u2019s historic launch with a gallery of artifacts housed in the Clark University Archives and Special Collections. They are items, most of them worn and weathered, that reveal a brilliant and churning mind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were no cherry trees in the Roswell, New Mexico, desert where Robert Goddard relocated to send his primitive rockets into the sky. But in a larger sense, that Worcester tree where he perched at night had roots that stretched all the way to those western sands and beyond. The promise he made to himself in the branches of that tree kept him grounded even as it lifted humanity skyward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:3rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-intro home-intro-2 sticky is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"min-height:100vh\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"padding-top:40vh;padding-bottom:40vh\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-blue-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">In 1959, Robert Goddard was posthumously awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, one of the highest U.S. civilian honors, for his pioneering work in rocket development (this is the Archives\u2019 bronze reproduction of the original). The medal expresses appreciation for distinguished achievements and contributions, beginning with its first recipient, George Washington, and including honorees who reflect a vast range of accomplishment and sacrifice, from George Gershwin to Rosa&nbsp;Parks to Mother Teresa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">The efforts to put humans into space have been amply recognized: The crew of Apollo 11 and NASA\u2019s \u201chidden figures\u201d mathematicians are medal recipients.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote has-text-align-right is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s appalling how short life is and how much there is to do one would like to do. We have to be sports, take, chances, and do what we can.\u201d<br><\/p>\n<cite>\u2014Robert Goddard<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-intro home-intro-3 sticky is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"min-height:100vh\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"padding-top:40vh;padding-bottom:40vh\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-blue-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\"><br>This early gyroscope of Goddard\u2019s is worn and nicked and probably still bears traces of his DNA. While launching a liquid-fuel rocket into the sky is the scientist\u2019s most renowned intellectual feat, figuring out how to steer it once it got there may have been his most overlooked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">Goddard experimented obsessively with gyroscopic technology; in 1907, he published \u201cThe Use of the Gyroscope in the Balancing and Steering of Aeroplanes\u201d in Scientific American, and in April 1932, he conducted a brief test in which a rocket\u2019s flight path could be primitively\u2014but successfully\u2014controlled. Goddard\u2019s early technologies were foundational to the sophisticated systems that guide today\u2019s spacecraft, planes, and seagoing vessels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:8vh\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cMaybe by working patiently but not long at time you may turn out some first-rate work yet.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014W.F. Magie, Head of Princeton\u2019s Palmer Physical Laboratory, <br>to Robert Goddard<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-intro home-intro-4 sticky is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"min-height:100vh\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover\" style=\"padding-top:40vh;padding-bottom:40vh\"><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-blue-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\"><br>Several health ailments kept young Robert Goddard housebound for much of his childhood, but he used the quiet time to become a voracious reader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">One of his seminal influences was H.G. Wells\u2019 science fiction classic <em>The War of the Worlds,<\/em> which set the Worcester boy\u2019s imagination afire with the possibilities of interplanetary travel. Goddard never forgot the author\u2019s impact on him and later wrote him a fan letter, which elicited a handwritten response from&nbsp;Wells: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right is-style-intro has-medium-font-size\">\u201cThanks for your friendly letter. It\u2019s the sort of greeting we appreciate\u2014from people like you.\u201d<br><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:60%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30vh\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull home-body is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group home-detail is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"intro has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n\n\n<!--link rel='stylesheet' id='jp-one-scroll' href='https:\/\/cdn.clarku.edu\/inspired\/wp-content\/themes\/jonas\/dist\/css\/inspired.css?ver=?ver=6.9.1' media='all'\/-->\r\n<style>\r\n@keyframes arrow-bounce {\r\n  0% {\r\n\t\ttransform: translateY(-2rem) rotate(45deg);\r\n  }\r\n  50% {\r\n\t\ttransform: translateY(-1rem) rotate(45deg);\r\n  }\r\n  100% {\r\n\t\ttransform: translateY(-2rem) rotate(45deg);\r\n  }\r\n}\r\n\r\nhtml {\r\n\tscroll-snap-type: y proximity;\r\n}\r\n\r\n.home-intro-1,\r\n.home-intro-2,\r\n.home-intro-3,\r\n.home-intro-4 {\r\n\tscroll-snap-align: start;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\nbody .home-intro {\r\n\tbackground-size: cover;\r\n\tcolor: var( --clarku-color-white );\r\n\t& > .wp-block-cover .wp-block-cover__background {\r\n\t\tdisplay: none;\r\n\t}\r\n \t&.home-intro-1 .wp-block-columns::after {\r\n\t\tcontent: \"\";\r\n\t\theight: 2rem;\r\n\t\twidth: 2rem;\r\n\t\tborder: 2px solid var( --clarku-color-black );\r\n\t\tborder-width: 0 2px 2px 0;\r\n\t\ttransform: rotate(45deg);\r\n\t\tposition: absolute;\r\n\t\tbottom: 1rem;\r\n\t\tleft: calc( 50% - 1rem );\r\n\t\tz-index: 9;\r\n\t\tanimation: 2s ease-in-out 0s 50 arrow-bounce;\r\n\t}\r\n\t&.sticky {\r\n\t\talign-items: flex-end;\r\n\t\tleft: 0 !important;\r\n\/\/ \t\twidth: calc(var(--vw, 1vw) * 100);\r\n\t\tdiv.column-width {\r\n\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 15vh;\r\n\t\t\tmax-width: 45rem;\r\n\t\t\tpadding: 0;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t\tdiv.title-slide {\r\n\t\t\tmargin-bottom: 15vh;\r\n\t\t\tpadding: 2rem 2.5rem 2.5rem !important;\r\n\t\t}\r\n\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media all and (min-width: 550px) {\r\n\tbody .home-intro {\r\n\t}\r\n\r\n}\r\n@media all and (min-width: 720px) {\r\n\tbody .home-intro {\r\n\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media all and (min-width: 850px) {\r\n\t.home-intro.sticky {\r\n\t\tmargin-left: calc(-50vw + 403px);\r\n\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n@media all and (min-width: 1080px) {\r\n\t.home-intro-1 .wp-block-group.title-slide {\r\n\t\tposition: relative;\r\n\t\twidth: auto !important;\r\n\t}\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n.home-intro-1 .wp-block-group.title-slide,\r\n.home-intro p {\r\n}\r\n\r\n.one-scroll {\r\n\tz-index: 5;\r\n}\r\n.one-scroll .home-intro {\r\n\talign-items: flex-end;\r\n\tdisplay: flex;\r\n\tjustify-content: center;\r\n\r\n\tmargin: 0;\r\n\twidth: 100%;\r\n\/* \theight: 100vh; *\/\r\n\tposition: relative;\t\r\n}\r\n\r\n.image-pane {\r\n\tbackground-position: 50% 50%;\r\n\tbackground-repeat: no-repeat;\r\n\tbackground-size: cover;\r\n\tmargin: 0;\r\n\tposition: fixed;\r\n\ttop: 0;\r\n\tleft: 0;\r\n\twidth: calc(var(--vw, 1vw) * 100);\r\n\theight: 100vh;\r\n}\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n.home-intro~.home-intro::after {\r\n\tdisplay: none;\r\n}\r\n.home-intro {\r\n\tscroll-snap-align: none !important;\r\n}\r\n.image-pane {\r\n  max-width: 100vw !important;\r\n}\r\n<\/style>\r\n<script>\r\n(function(){\r\n\r\nwindow.addEventListener(\"load\", initIntro);\r\n\r\nfunction initIntro() {\r\n\tvar ok = document.querySelector(\".home-intro-wrapper\");\r\n\tif( ! 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After a number of seconds it rose, slowly until it cleared the frame, and then at express-train speed, curving over to the left, and striking the ice and snow, still going at a rapid rate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"font-size:0.8rem\">It looked almost magical as it rose, without an appreciably greater noise or flame, as if it said, \u2018I\u2019ve been here long enough; I think I\u2019ll be going somewhere else, if you don\u2019t mind.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014Robert Goddard, recounting his historic rocket launch<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"777\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1-777x1024.avif\" alt=\"A photo of Goddard's historic launch in the distance\" class=\"wp-image-863\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1-777x1024.avif 777w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1-228x300.avif 228w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1-768x1012.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1-1166x1536.avif 1166w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1.avif 1371w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 777px) 100vw, 777px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:30vh\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<clark-showcase class=\"\" stickTo=\"top\">\n\t\n<div class=\"showcase-col\"><div class=\"showcase-col-content\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right\" style=\"min-height:90vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-827 size-large\" alt=\"Launch frame developed by Robert H. Goddard, Clark University\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-791x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-791x1024.avif 791w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-232x300.avif 232w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-768x994.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-1187x1536.avif 1187w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame-1582x2048.avif 1582w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Launch-frame.avif 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim wp-block-cover__gradient-background has-background-gradient has-gradient-2-gradient-background\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-351c08cb25089340341689cac15e6a9c\"><br>Robert&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"showcase-col\"><div class=\"showcase-col-content\">\n\n<div style=\"height:4rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded has-white-color has-warm-gray-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-fc7ac15866d315f4a13c9e651c302950 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:2rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default\" id=\"h-launch-frame\" style=\"font-size:2rem\">Launch frame<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default\">&nbsp;One of Goddard\u2019s early launch frames\u2014fitted together from pipes and joints\u2014is shown reassembled in the Goddard Library. From his Aunt Effie\u2019s farm in Auburn, Massachusetts, Goddard sent the first liquid fuel rocket 41 feet into the air and 184 feet from the frame that sat in the grass. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-footage.mp4\" alt=\"\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The rocket flew for 2.5 seconds; a brief but historic journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"770\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-770x1024.avif\" alt=\"Robert H Goddard standing with a launch frame outdoors in the snow\" class=\"wp-image-814\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-770x1024.avif 770w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-226x300.avif 226w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-768x1021.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-1156x1536.avif 1156w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-1541x2048.avif 1541w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-rocket.avif 1926w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 770px) 100vw, 770px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/clark-showcase>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cHe was generally looked upon as being slightly but harmlessly mad, with his absurd ideas of design rockets that could travel to the moon as an initial step toward his ultimate objective, Mars.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014Hugh L. Kennleyside, M.A. 1921<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:12rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n<clark-showcase class=\"\" stickTo=\"top\">\n\t\n<div class=\"showcase-col\"><div class=\"showcase-col-content\">\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right\" style=\"min-height:80vh;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-821 size-large\" alt=\"Inscription inside the Autobiography of Robert H Goddard flown to the moon on board Apollo 11, written by Buzz Aldrin\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl-791x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl-791x1024.avif 791w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl-232x300.avif 232w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl-768x994.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl-1187x1536.avif 1187w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Moon-Book-bl.avif 1545w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#5a4e4b\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size\"><br>Robert&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"showcase-col\"><div class=\"showcase-col-content\">\n\n<div style=\"height:4rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded has-white-color has-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-9c1987d8771e220e1491feb6e9e6bad8 is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div style=\"height:2rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-default\" id=\"h-robert-hutchings-goddard-father-of-the-space-age\" style=\"font-size:2rem\">\u201cRobert Hutchings Goddard \u2014 Father of the Space Age\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"is-style-default\">An artifact may travel a great distance to reach its final destination in a university collection. But 238,857 miles (477,714 miles round-trip) through the void of space?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That was the journey of a credit card-sized book titled <em>Robert Hutchings Goddard<\/em> \u2014 Father of the Space Age, the autobiography of the rocket pioneer and long-time Clark professor. The leather-bound tome with gold-leaf edging was the first book ever flown to the moon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Astronaut Buzz Aldrin actually had brought two copies of the book without thinking to inform NASA, but he later confirmed they had accompanied him to the moon aboard Apollo 11. He gave one copy to Robert Goddard\u2019s widow, Esther, who donated the book to Clark\u2019s archives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/moon-book-case-858x1024.avif\" alt=\"Autobiography of Robert H Goddard flown to the moon on board Apollo 11, displayed with an American Flag and Apollo 11 patch.\" class=\"wp-image-822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/moon-book-case-858x1024.avif 858w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/moon-book-case-251x300.avif 251w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/moon-book-case-768x916.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/moon-book-case.avif 1278w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:1rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The book is framed with an American flag and an astronaut\u2019s shoulder patch also taken to the moon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/clark-showcase>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group stagger-right no-gap is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-71863cb6 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-d83f535d1d5b9360d63d6f42353b5c7e\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"708\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-815 size-large\" alt=\"background\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-708x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-708x1024.avif 708w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-207x300.avif 207w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-768x1111.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-1062x1536.avif 1062w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2.avif 1383w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-darker-blue-background-color has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-intro\" id=\"h-notebook\" style=\"font-size:2.3rem\">Notebook<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">Robert Goddard began keeping a diary in 1898, and he didn\u2019t stop writing until his death in 1945. His research notebooks burst with detailed accounts of his ideas, observations, inspirations, and experiments, some entries accompanied by hand-drawn illustrations of rocket components and their interactions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">He and Esther took care to have his notebook pages notarized\u2014Goddard was intensely protective of his inventions and wary of the theft of his intellectual property by competitors in Germany and Russia. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-74da0615e24178ae8034ebaedd318703\" style=\"min-height:40em;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"758\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-839 size-large\" alt=\"Open page from Robert Goddard's notebook, Robert H. Goddard Collection, Clark University\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-758x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-758x1024.avif 758w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-222x300.avif 222w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-768x1038.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-1137x1536.avif 1137w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook-1516x2048.avif 1516w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Notebook.avif 1706w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 758px) 100vw, 758px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#9d9d9b\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">Robert&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-1e1e514218d5855d7517b1601852d9bf\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);min-height:20em;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-326 size-large\" alt=\"graph paper\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/goddard\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/graph-paper-2-708x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-darker-blue-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">While the prose that flowed from his pen tended toward the technical, he sometimes hinted at the poetic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">In an entry reflecting on his historic 1926 launch, he imagined the rocket describing its own brief, wobbly flightpath: \u201cI\u2019ve been here long enough; I think I\u2019ll be going somewhere else, if you don\u2019t mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-f9254056fadd28673ff3adbf7620fd0f\" style=\"min-height:20rem;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"647\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-829 size-large\" alt=\"Robert H. Goddard teaching at the chalk board at Clark University\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1024x647.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1024x647.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-300x190.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-768x485.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1536x971.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-2048x1294.avif 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#484a44\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201cMy husband felt that he was a very fortunate man. He was doing precisely what he wanted to do most in all this world.\u201d<\/p>\n<cite>\u2014Esther Goddard<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:25%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group stagger-right no-gap is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-71863cb6 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-eaf8a610f8c0bdb0fab4b7f4b9637953\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"647\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-829 size-large\" alt=\"Robert H. Goddard teaching at the chalk board at Clark University\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1024x647.avif\" style=\"object-position:15% 22%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"15% 22%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1024x647.avif 1024w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-300x190.avif 300w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-768x485.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-1536x971.avif 1536w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Photo-board-2048x1294.avif 2048w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-warm-gray-background-color has-background-dim-80 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-intro\" id=\"h-liquid-propellant-rocket-motor\" style=\"font-size:2.3rem\">Liquid-propellant rocket motor<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">This motor of Dr.&nbsp;Robert&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Goddard is from about 1930. Just a year earlier, he\u2019d launched the first liquid-propellant rocket to carry scientific instruments (an aneroid barometer and thermometer).&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\">The rocket flew to 90 feet but crashed, the noise and resulting grass fire creating a public sensation. It was reported that the publicity led to Goddard\u2019s rocket work coming to the attention of aviator Charles Lindbergh, who connected him with the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right\" style=\"min-height:40em;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-811 size-large\" alt=\"Combustion chamber designed by Robert H. Goddard\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-791x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-791x1024.avif 791w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-232x300.avif 232w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-768x994.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-1187x1536.avif 1187w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04-1582x2048.avif 1582w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Combustion-Chamber-04.avif 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#26303b\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\">Robert&nbsp;H.&nbsp;Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover padded has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-29c890d26510b48e5796f152f364279f\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"722\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-823 size-large\" alt=\"Selection from the journal of Robert H. Goddard with diagrams and handwritten notes, Clark University\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1-722x1024.avif\" style=\"object-position:54% 57%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"54% 57%\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1-722x1024.avif 722w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1-212x300.avif 212w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1-768x1089.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1-1084x1536.avif 1084w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-Notebook-1.avif 1411w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 722px) 100vw, 722px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-warm-gray-background-color has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#525250d6\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">However, in a 2011 interview with Clark Magazine, astronaut Buzz Aldrin insisted that his father, Edwin Aldrin Sr., Clark class of 1915 and a former student of Goddard\u2019s, made the fortuitous introduction of Lindbergh to Goddard.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover is-light\"><video class=\"wp-block-cover__video-background intrinsic-ignore\" autoplay muted loop playsinline src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/goddard-reel-fnl.mp4\" style=\"object-position:62% 72%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"62% 72%\"><\/video><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#FFF\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-43cc06f09900e249b50324f80239fadd\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:15rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group stagger-left no-gap is-layout-grid wp-container-core-group-is-layout-71863cb6 wp-block-group-is-layout-grid\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-bottom-right abut-end\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-825 size-large\" alt=\"Cover photo of A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes by Robert H. Goddard\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-791x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-791x1024.avif 791w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-232x300.avif 232w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-768x994.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-1187x1536.avif 1187w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian-1582x2048.avif 1582w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Smithsonian.avif 1978w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim-0 has-background-dim\" style=\"background-color:#5c4f48\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-flow wp-block-cover-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\" style=\"font-size:1rem\">Robert H. Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover padded has-true-black-color has-text-color has-link-color has-small-font-size wp-elements-b6e1c57640dd6c0d5766bfd2ee11dab1\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"708\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-815 size-large\" alt=\"background\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-708x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-708x1024.avif 708w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-207x300.avif 207w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-768x1111.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2-1062x1536.avif 1062w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/graph-paper-2.avif 1383w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 708px) 100vw, 708px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-400-background-color has-background-dim-60 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-left is-style-default\" id=\"h-a-method-of-reaching-extreme-altitudes\" style=\"font-size:2rem\">A Method of Reaching Extreme Altitudes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-medium-font-size\">The title is hardly dramatic, but the ideas expressed between the worn covers of this 1919 edition of the Smithsonian Miscellaneous Collections were, for their time, electric. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left has-medium-font-size\">While Robert H.&nbsp;Goddard had been writing about the possibility of a liquid fuel rocket as early as 1909, this essay served as both a significant refinement of his theories and a request for funding of his rocketry experiments\u2014the start of a decades-long sales pitch to deep-pocketed benefactors, nonprofit institutions, and the federal government.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover padded has-small-font-size\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);min-height:40rem;aspect-ratio:unset;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"816\" height=\"1024\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-828 size-large\" alt=\"Preliminary design of a four inch rocket projectile by Robert H. Goddard\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-816x1024.avif\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-816x1024.avif 816w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-239x300.avif 239w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-768x963.avif 768w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-1224x1536.avif 1224w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782-1633x2048.avif 1633w, https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/Goddard-diagram-1-e1777564455782.avif 1993w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 816px) 100vw, 816px\" \/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-700-background-color has-background-dim-40 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size\"><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-cover has-custom-content-position is-position-top-center has-small-font-size\" style=\"padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-7 size-large\" alt=\"Robert Goddard standing in a field next to a rocket\" src=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/goddard\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/121\/Goddard-Photo-rocket-770x1024.avif\" style=\"object-position:85% 56%\" data-object-fit=\"cover\" data-object-position=\"85% 56%\"\/><span aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-cover__background has-gray-700-background-color has-background-dim-100 has-background-dim\"><\/span><div class=\"wp-block-cover__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-cover-is-layout-c9115f92 wp-block-cover-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group padded is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size\">Goddard found an early fan. \u201cI believe the theory is sound, and the experimental work both sound and ingenious,\u201d wrote Charles Abbott, secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left is-style-default has-white-color has-text-color has-medium-font-size\">\u201cIt seems to me that the character of Mr. Goddard\u2019s work is so high that he can well be trusted to carry it on to practical operation in any way that seems best to him. I regard the scheme as worth promoting.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right wp-element-caption\">Robert H. Goddard Collection, Clark University<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:7rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:3rem\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"background-image:url(&apos;https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/bg.avif&apos;);background-size:cover;\" class=\"wp-block-group alignfull padded has-gray-100-background-color has-background is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns sidebar is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1eabf0d0cdce9b9c22d57c114a6dda67\" id=\"h-the-goddard-centennial\">The Goddard Centennial<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-dfdb620abca42f526e5bff9998d13bfd\">A version of this story appears Robert H. Goddard Centennial website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-outline is-style-outline--1\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/goddard\/\">Centennial celebration<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u201cEven though the release was pulled, the rocket did not rise at first, but the flame came out, and there was a steady roar. After a number of seconds it rose, slowly until it cleared the frame, and then at express-train speed, curving over to the left, and striking the ice and snow, still going [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"wp-custom-template-feature","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"departments":[4],"issues":[32],"class_list":["post-809","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","departments-features","issues-spring-2026"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.7 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>From Dream to Destiny | Clark Magazine | Clark University<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/from-dream-to-destiny\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"From Dream to Destiny\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u201cEven though the release was pulled, the rocket did not rise at first, but the flame came out, and there was a steady roar. After a number of seconds it rose, slowly until it cleared the frame, and then at express-train speed, curving over to the left, and striking the ice and snow, still going [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/from-dream-to-destiny\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Clark Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ClarkUniversityWorcester\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-05-27T16:14:09+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.clarku.edu\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/90\/GoddardPhotoP54_1.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1371\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1806\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@clarkuniversity\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@clarkuniversity\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Laurel McLaughlin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clarku.edu\\\/magazine\\\/from-dream-to-destiny\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.clarku.edu\\\/magazine\\\/from-dream-to-destiny\\\/\"},\"headline\":\"From Dream to 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