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 detail seems required to document and to assess the full history of research and development in aviation, rocketry, space flight, and their related fields. Spectacular events are but the final manifestation of the ideas, concern, and labor of many persons and institutions involved in scientific research, engineering development, finance, organization, management, and operations. With regard to space vehicles, the reader need not be reminded that the development of military missiles wag a major factor in advancing the technology of rocket propulsion, a historical parallel to the first major application of aeronautics to human affairs during World War I. Yet the broad-based scientific conquest of space inherently possesses great consequences for society. Military applications of space technology in the United States are clearly the responsibility of the Department of Defense and the military services and not that of NASA. It seemed pertinent to include major developmental aspects of military technological efforts in this volume.

The scope of this chronology is defined in accordance with the following criteria:
 * Emphasize scientific research and engineering development in aeronautics and astronautics as well as their related fields.
 * Demonstrate historic use of aircraft, rockets, balloons, and spacecraft as tools of scientific research.
 * Specialize upon U.S. efforts with inclusion of sufficient items on general historical events and foreign progress to retain an undistorted historical context.
 * Illustrate practical exploitation of technological progress in aeronautics and astronautics.
 * Exploit generally available source materials to insure widest and early utilization of the material compiled.

Some readers may criticize the selection of events. They may also be unappreciative of the fact that calendar-located events are not all of equal historical significance and do not necessarily appear in sequential order. Brevity and other necessary limitations also imposed certain format requirements. A detailed index has been prepared to enhance reference utility as well as topical integration; while a select bibliography serves as a launching pad for the stimulated reader.

SOURCES AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Debts were accumulated in the preparation of this volume. It is not feasible to list al indispensable contributors in NASA's Headquarters and Centers, in other governmental agencies, or in the academic and historical community. The following, however, must be named for their particularly helpful counsel and assistance: Mr. Harold Andrews (USN); Mr. David S. Akens (Marshall Space Flight Center); Mr. Joseph W. Angell (USAF); Miss Grace Bogart (NASA Technical Library); Mr. Walter T. Bonney (Aerospace Corp.); Dr. Paul Davis (AFAMC); Mr. Paul E. Garber (National Air Museum); Dr. Murray Green (USAF); Dr. Richard G. Hewlett (AEC); Mr. Milton Lehman (Goddard biographer); Prof. W. Ross Livingston (State University of Iowa); Mr. Marvin W. McFarland (Science and Technology, Library of Congress); Mr. Donald R. McVeigh (ARDC); Mr. Robert W. Mulac (LaRC); Mr. Lee Pearson (USN); Mr. Robert L. Perry (AFWADD); Dr. Nathan Reingold (Yale University); Dr. Alfred Rockefeller (AFBMD); Cdr. Malcolm D. Ross (USNR); Dr. Charles Sheldon (House Committee on Science and Astronautics); Dr. Wilfred J. Smith (Office for U.N. Conference, NASA); Mr. Raymond Snodgrass (Army Ordnance); Mr. John C. Truesdale (National Academy of Sciences); Prof. James A. Van Allen (State University of Iowa); and Dr. John F. Victory (formerly Executive Secretary of the NACA). Mrs. Anna Shade ably managed the varied and difficult chores of preparing the manuscript with able assistance of dedicated NASA typists. The responsibility for the organization and contents of this volume, however, remains solely that of the compiler.

Additional suggestions and comments will be gratefully received from any reader at any time. The depth of the historical process must inevitably be extended. Comments should be directed to the NASA Historian.

E. M. E.

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