Atwood, John L. (b. 1904)
Business Executive
The Story of North American Aviation, Inc. 1967.
President, North American Aviation, Inc. After doing design work for Douglas
Aircraft in its early years, Mr. Atwood became Chief Engineer for North American
Aviation, Inc., in 1934. He later became Vice–President and in 1948 was named
President. Mr. Atwood relates the story of North American: its formation as a
holding company; forced alteration of its structure in 1934; its reconstitution,
led by General Motors until the end of World War II; and its production of military
aircraft during World War II.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College and Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Ballou, John McKnight (b. 1891)
Aviation Engineer
Pioneer Aviation Engineer. 1963.
Mr. Ballou designed the first practical variable pitch aircraft propeller and
designed and constructed the original Caltech aerodynamic balance. This interview
emphasizes his knowledge of experiments with aircraft during the first quarter
of the twentieth century.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College and Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Jackman, Kenneth (b. 1906)
Engineer
Thirty Years of Progress in Aeronautical Engineering and Testing. 1963.
Chief of Engineering Test Laboratories, General Dynamics in Pomona (California).
In 1931 commenced working for Consolidated Aircraft Corporation (now General Dynamics).
Mainly describes testing methods used and progress made in these methods. Also
talks of contribution of some of the pioneers at Consolidated.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Marriott, Joseph S. (b. 1895)
Aeronautics Consultant
Safety Regulations and Air Traffic Control. 1962.
Relates his experiences as aviation instructor during World War One and barnstorming
exhibitions and Air Corps Reserve service after the war. In 1927 he became associated
with the Aeronautics Branch of the Department of Commerce, continuing as it became
the Civil Aeronautics Board (1935) and then the Federal Aviation Agency (1958).
Discusses safety regulations and air traffic control for passenger aircraft.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Millar, Richard (b. 1899)
Business Executive
A Career in Aircraft. 1963.
Served on first board of directors of Douglas Aircraft. In 1939 became General
Manager of Vultee Aircraft, Inc. and later president. Describes his relation to
events surrounding expansion of the aircraft industry: growth of Douglas; affiliation
of Douglas with Northrop; years at Vultee and financial and corporate relationships
of other aircraft companies.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Ogden, Henry (b. 1900)
Business Executive
First Around-the-World and Aircraft Producer. 1963.
Describes career in Army Air Service (1919-1926), when he was a member of the
first around-the-world flight team, and operating a small aircraft company. Tells
of his work as a vice president in Lockheed Aircraft Service Corporation; head
of overseas re-assembly division (1939-1946) in British Isles; association with
plants at Pyote, Texas and Burbank and Ontario, California.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Raymond, Arthur E. (b. 1899)
Aeronautical Engineer
Engineer of the DC Series. 1964.
Reflects on his engineering career with Douglas Aircraft Company from 1925
until 1960, serving as Chief Engineer as then Vice President of Engineering. He
was mainly involved with the development of commercial aircraft and chiefly responsible
for the Douglas DC Series. Emphasizes design and production of military and commercial
planes.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Sebold, Raymond (b. 1906)
Aeronautical Engineer
Aeronautical Engineer. 1962.
Vice President of Engineering, Consolidated Aircraft (General Dynamics). Discusses
he entire career spent with Consolidated Aircraft. Principally deals with construction
of various aircraft, such as the Commodore, the Coronado, the Catalina, the Fleet,
the B17, B24, B29, B32, B36, and the Mach 2, and wartime production.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Squier, Carl (b. 1893)
Business Executive
Lockheed Aircraft. 1962.
Vice President in charge of sales, Lockheed Aircraft. Describes service in
Air Force during World War I and the construction and development of such early
airplanes as the Miss America, the Eastman Flying Boat, and the Lockheed Vega.
Tells of his work as General Manager of Lockheed and the difficult days when the
company went through receivership. He mentions the activities of some of Lockheed’s
key personnel and lists what he considers Lockheed’s outstanding achievements.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.
Wolfe, Thomas (b. 1901)
Civil Servant
Aircraft Administrator. 1963.
Tells of work for National Air Transport in developing its air mail service,
for United, for Pan American, and for Pacific Aeromotive. Observations about passenger
load after the introduction of jets and relative volume of government and private
maintenance and manufacture of aircraft.
Interviewer: John B. Rae, Professor of History, Harvey Mudd College, Claremont
Graduate School. This interview was conducted in conjunction with the writing
of Professor Rae’s book Climb to Greatness (Cambridge, Mass.: MIT
Press, 1968).
Restricted Interview. Contact us for more information. Top of page.