Alfred Loedding

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 1930, Loedding graduated from New York University with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering. He received the school's Guggenheim award.[3] He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the air service.[6]

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.[7] He was involved in the development of solid-fueled rockets.[8][9] In 1939, he was involved in model plane contests, serving both as a judge and an award-winning participant.[10][11] In 1941, he accompanied Robert Goddard to Roswell army airfield for a test.[12][3] He later observed tests conducted by Jack Parsons and Aerojet. [13] He conducted a 1949 lecture at University of Pittsburgh.[14] In 1958, Loedding was profiled after being awarded a patent for a solid-fueled military rocket.[15][7] In 1959, he was profiled and photographed with a model he called a 'flying pumpkin seed'.[16]

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.[17]

References
  1. "Rocket Planes Visualized By New Castle Engineer". February 2, 1938. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  2. "Alfred Loedding, 57, Succumbs". October 11, 1963. p. 4 – via newspapers.com.
  3. "Nasa Official Dies". October 11, 1963. p. 44 – via newspapers.com.
  4. "Baden Student Builds Model of Lindy's Plane". March 18, 1928. p. 67 – via newspapers.com.
  5. "Engineering Students Form Flying Club". April 7, 1928. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  6. "Commissions Given Three Reading Men". July 3, 1930. p. 13 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "Ambridge Man Planning Practical Flying Saucer". November 2, 1952. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
  8. "Local Group Hears About Rocket Planes". February 24, 1939. p. 5 – via newspapers.com.
  9. "Rocket Ship To Be Shown Here Sunday". June 16, 1939. p. 1 – via newspapers.com.
  10. "Large Number of Entries Expected in Design Test". December 24, 1939. p. 17 – via newspapers.com.
  11. "'Rocketair' Wins Originality-Event". May 28, 1939. p. 25 – via newspapers.com.
  12. Lehman, Milton (May 12, 1963). "This High Man: The Life of Robert H. Goddard". Farrar, Straus – via Google Books.
  13. Carter, John (April 1, 2005). "Sex and Rockets: The Occult World of Jack Parsons". Feral House – via Google Books.
  14. "Field Aids To Lecture At Pittsburgh College". March 30, 1949. p. 3 – via newspapers.com.
  15. "Patents of the Week: 9 1/2-inch Military Rocket, Unique Fuel Invented". October 25, 1958. p. 10 – via newspapers.com.
  16. "Make Way For Flying Pumpkin Seed". February 22, 1959. p. 101 – via newspapers.com.
  17. Loedding, Donald R. (March 14, 2013). "Global Warming: the Iceman Cometh (And Other Cultural Takes)". AuthorHouse – via Google Books.
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