Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Earl A. Thornton Papers
Thornton, Earl A. (Earl Arthur), 1936-
Ms.2010.026
5.7 Cubic Feet
11 boxes
1885-2000
The collection includes research files, personal notes, audio recordings, videocassettes, photographs, and publications collected by engineer and professor Earl A. Thornton on the fields of aviation, aeronautics, and aerospace.
The material in the collection is in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
Preferred Citation
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Earl A. Thornton Papers, Ms2010-026, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
Source of Acquisition
The Earl A. Thornton Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 2000, as part of the Earl A. Thornton History of Flight Collection, containing over 800 volumes in the Rare Book Collection and the University Libraries collection.
Processing Information
The processing, arrangement and description of the Earl A. Thornton Papers commenced in May 2010 and was completed in June 2010. Additional materials were integrated and the description updated in June 2023.
Part of the processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was created as part of the project, "Piercing the Veil: Creating Access to the Archives of American Aerospace Exploration at Virginia Tech," funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) from 2022 to 2024.
Biographical Note
Earl Arthur Thornton was born to Dora Weatherly Thornton and John S. Thornton in 1936. He has a brother, John S. Thornton, Jr. and a sister Elizabeth Thornton Gardner. He is married to Margaret Thornton and resides in Virginia.
Thornton graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1959. Thornton went on to the University of Illinois to complete his Master's degree in Theoretical and Applied Mechanics before returning to Virginia Tech for a doctoral degree in Mechanical Engineering. Thornton graduated from Virginia Tech in 1968 and joined the professoriate. Thornton served at Old Dominion University (1969-1986), was a visiting scholar at the University of Texas (1987-88), and worked at the University of Virginia (1989-1999) until his retirement on May 24, 1999. Afterwards, he returned to Virginia Tech as a visiting professor in the Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics in 2000.
Thornton authored books on thermal structures and the finite element method and is an Associate Editor of the Journal of Spacecraft and Rockets. Thornton is a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA).
External Sources:
"RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF VISITORS, March 26-27, 1999", University of Virginia Board of Visitors, http://www.virginia.edu/bov/meetings/99mar/resolutionminutes.html, on The Internet Archive, https://web.archive.org/web/20160905002526/www.virginia.edu/bov/meetings/99mar/resolutionminutes.html, accessed June 21, 2023
"DORA WEATHERLY THORNTON HANNAH",
Tyrrell Tides, Vol. 10, No. 2, Feb. 2004, http://www.johnowens.info/TyrrellNews/feb2004.htm, the Internet Archive at https://web.archive.org/web/20110308152306/www.johnowens.info/TyrrellNews/feb2004.htm, accessed June 21, 2023
Scope and Content
The Earl A. Thornton Papers contain research files, personal notes, audio recordings, videocassettes, photographs, and publications on the fields of aviation, aeronautics, and aerospace. The research files include files on individuals and subject files, as well as publications. Additional materials include reproduction airplane blueprints, press reports about missiles and satellites, and a poster depicting the history of air travel.
Individuals listed include: Sir George Cayley, Octave Chanute, William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow, Frederick W. Lanchester, S.P. Langley, Otto Lilienthal, Charles Matthews Manly, Charles Fayette Taylor, Theodore von Karman, Edward P. Warner, Francis Herbert Wenham, Wilbur and Orville Wright, Pearl I. Young, and Alfred F. Zahm. Topics include: Aerodynamics, Aeronautical Education Development, Aviation Progress, Challenger Launch Decision, Development of Aircraft Structures, The Evolution of Aircraft Design, Metal Airplane Construction, Propulsion, Structures History, Trusses, Wilbur Wright Memorial Lectures, and Wing Spars and Beam Columns.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged in three series, based on material type:
Series I: Publications, 1933-1997, is divided into two subseries based on material type.
Subseries A: Conference Publications, 1981-1994, contains materials published from conferences held at various NASA facilities and at the Thermal Structures conference held at the University of Virginia, as well as a short course from the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
Subseries B: Other Publications, 1933-1997, contains books, senate hearing transcripts, training programs, journals, and magazines. This subseries is arranged chronologically.
Series II: Research Files, 1885-1997, is divided into two subseries based on subject.
Subseries A: Files on Individuals, n.d., contains articles, pamphlets, and biographical information on individuals who had an impact on the fields of aviation and/or aeronautical or aerospace engineering and design. This subseries is arranged alphabetically by individual's last name.
Subseries B: Subject Files, 1978, 1989, n.d., contain research, articles, and reports on topics related to the field of aviation and aeronautical engineering. The original folder titles were used. This subseries is arranged alphabetically.
Series III: Audio/Visual Materials and Memorabilia, 1955-2000, n.d., is divided into three subseries based on material type.
Subseries A: Audiocassettes, 1978, contain audio taped transcriptions of "13 Famous Aircraft" given on 10-5-1978 by Paul Garber.
Subseries B: Videocassettes, 1978, 1996-1998, n.d., contain VHS recordings of documentaries, television programs, and films all related to aviation and aerospace science.
Subseries C: Prints and Memorabilia, 1955, 1981-2000, n.d., contain airplane illustrations, pamphlets, promotional photo reproductions, posters, and a visor. This series is arranged by material type.
Separated Materials
This collection was donated as part of the Earl A. Thornton History of Flight Collection, which contains over 800 volumes, in the Rare Book Collection and the University Libraries collection. These publications can be found by searching the online library catalog for "Thornton History of Flight Collection".
During processing, the following publication was also separated to the Rare Book Collection: Thornton, Earl A.
Aerospace thermal structures and materials for a new era. Progress in astronautics and aeronautics, v. 168. Washington, DC: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 1995.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Earl A. Thornton Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Archives of American Aerospace Exploration (AAAE)
Faculty and staff
Science and Technology
Students and alumni
United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
University of Virginia
Series I: Publications1933-1997Subseries A: Conference Publications1981-1994NASA Conference Publications1981, 1988, 1991, 199212 AIAA Short Course19908Thermal Structures Conference Proceedings1990, 19941Measurement Technology Conference19922Subseries B: Other Publications1933-1997The Oases Meeting: International Egyptian Aviation Meeting1933, 19363 1The Royal Aeronautical Society 1866-1966: A Short History3 3Senate Hearings before the Committee on Appropriations Fiscal Year19718McLean, Edward. NASA SP-4720: Supersonic Cruise Technology19858"Exploring the Earth." National Geographic Magazine19883 2American ScientistMarch-April 19893 2Aerospace Design Engineers Guide: Third Edition, Washington DCMarch 19933 2Martin Marietta Corp. Communications Satellite Training Program19938American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics JournalApril-May 19973 3Missiles and Satellites Press Reports Compiled by the Office of the Chief of Information Department of the Army19579Series II: Research Files1885-1997Subseries A: Files on Individualsn.d.Sir George Cayley: Article on Cayley41O. Chanute: Bibliographic information, notes, and articles by and about Chanute42William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow: Articles about Henson and Stringfellow43Frederick W. Lanchester: Article about Lanchester44S.P. Langley: Articles by Langley45Otto Lilienthal: Articles and magazine by and about Lilienthal46Charles Matthews Manly (April 24, 1876- October 16, 1927) BinderBinder is divided into the following headings: Birth, Biographies, Cornell, Veal Biography, F. Spratt, Father, Thurston, Obituary, Papers, SAE Manly Engine, Langley 1903 Tests, Louise Manly8Charles Fayette Taylor BinderBinder is divided into the following headings: MIT Libraries, Archives Finders Guide, Growing Up with the 20th Century, Engine Articles8von Karman: Research notes and articles about von Karman47Edward P. Warner: Article about Warner48Francis Herbert Wenham: Article about Wenham49Wright Brothers: Flyers, maps, notes, pamphlets, photographs, newsletters and articles by and about Wilbur and Orville Wright410-12Pearl I. Young: Articles by and about Young413Alfred F. Zahm414Subseries B: Subject Files1978, 1989, n.d.Aerodynamics: Bibliography, articles, and a report on topics related to aerodynamics51Aeronautical Education Development: Notes and articles on topics related to aeronautical education52Aviation Progress: Articles on topics related to aviation progress53Challenger Launch Decision Notes and articles on topics related to the Challenger space shuttle54Development of Aircraft Structures: Articles on the development of aircraft structures and copies of Aerospace EngineeringMay-October 198955The Evolution of Aircraft Design: Notes, conference and papers from AIAA conference197856Metal Airplane Construction: Articles on metal airplane construction61Propulsion: Article on propulsion62Structures History: Notes and articles on structures63Trusses: Articles on trusses64Wilbur Wright Memorial Lectures: Handwritten notes, bibliographic references, booklets, and articles on the Wilbur Wright Memorial Lectures65Wing Spars and Beam Columns: Articles on topics related to wing spans and beam columns66Series III: Audio/Visual Materials and Memorabilia1955-2000, n.d.Subseries A: Audiocassettes1978-10-05Audiocassettes of Paul Garber's lecture on 13 Famous Aircraft1978-10-0567Subseries B: Videocassettes1978, 1996-1998, n.d.TRACE Solar Panel Test Video: UVA Thermal Structures LabSummer 19987NOVA: Rescue Mission in Space 1460; Women of Courage, 1460-2550; APOLLO 13, 25507Paul Garber: 13 Famous Aircraft, Audio Only1978-10-057Challenger Report 60 min., Copied 3/26/1996; Roger Boisjoly Talk7The World at War; Strategic Bombing in Europe7(1) 777-0-1471; (2) 1470-2570; (3) 2570-7TWA 800; NTSB Hearing, Dec. 8, 1997: 5 hours7Research on Space Station7The Wright Stuff; The American ExperienceFeb. 19967Restoration Special: Jenny Ken Hyde, National Geographic: 4574: Last Episode (Cars, etc.)71. Amelia Earhart (American Experience) 1-1470; 2. NOVA: (Hunt for Alien Worlds) 1470-25207Red Baron: 0-1426; A Fighter Pilot's Story: 1426-3094; A Fighter Pilot's Story 3100-431271. No Highway in the Sky: 0-2310; 2. Wing and a Prayer, Utah Man: 2312-3250; A and E Wright Brothers Biography71) NOVA: DC-3: 0-1430; 2) Memphis Belle 1431-25857NOVA: Fastest Planes in the Sky: 0-1440; NOVA: DC-3: 1440-4180; Boeing 777: 4180-48207We Saw It Happen, United Tech. Film, Narrated by Igor Sikorsky: 120 min.7Subseries C: Prints and Memorabilia1955, 1981-2000, n.d.Stinson SM-8A 1931-33, DeHavilland D.H.-4B 1926-1927, artist Nixon Galloway Copyright 1981 United Airlines3 4"Aircraft of the Skunk Works: A gallery of innovative designs from a small group of engineers who mastered the fine art of achieving the impossible." Air and Space Smithsonian: a supplement to the April/May 1994 issue of Air and Space/Smithsonian. Design and production by Phil Jordan, illustrations by John Batchelor3 4NASA Photo no. 69-HC-171 "Exercise for a Lunar Landing-The Lunar Module of Apollo 9 on Its Own in Space"8NASA Photo no. 66-HC-289 "Going for the touchdown-Apollo Rollout Atop Saturn V near the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center"8NASA Photo no. 69-HC-317 "An Open Door To Space-The Command Service and Lunar Modules of Apollo 9 Joined Together During Commander David R. Scott's Extravehicular Activity"8NASA Photo no. 68-HC-866 "Between Heaven and Earth-The Beginning of the Voyage of Apollo 8 to Circumnavigate the Moon"8NASA Photo no. 69-HC-609 "Within Reach But Not Within Grasp-The Apollo 10 Command Ship in Orbit About Sixty Miles Above the Moon"8Men and Ideas from American Aviation3 4Popular Science magazine pamphlet: Welcome to the Curtiss-Wright Exhibit of Air Power for the Next Ten Years3 4Air Scoop: The aeronautical endeavors of the Naval Air Material Center, August 30, 19553 4Illustrations on Air Force F-100 Super Sabre, Air Force F-86D Sabre Jet, North American Aviation, Inc3 4Crosley Division Manufacturing Corp., Quality Products for the Nation's Defense3 4Visor from Bendix Aviation Corporation3 4Promotional photo reproductions: H-21 Work-Horse; Navy HUP-2 Helicopter; H-21C Work Horse; YH-16 Transporter; PH-42 Transport Helicopter3 4The Story of Flight: A 100-Year Panorama20009Model JND-4 Airplane Reproduction Blueprintsn.d.10"Kitty Hawk" Airplane Reproduction Blueprintsn.d.11