William Cumming Johnson papers, 1870-1978
Table of Contents
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Johnson, William Cumming
- Title
- William Cumming Johnson papers
- Dates
- 1870-1978 (inclusive)Date of CollectionDate of Collection
- Quantity
- .90 cubic ft. (2 boxes)
- Collection Number
- 04349
- Summary
- William Cumming Johnson was an engineer. Collection contains biographical and genealogical information, news clippings, technical reports, proceedings, photographs, patents, and other printed material.
- Repository
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American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
1000 E. University Ave.
Dept. 3924
Laramie, WY
82071
Telephone: 3077663756
ahcref@uwyo.edu - Access Restrictions
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There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
- Languages
- English
Historical Note
William Cumming Johnson (1904-1995) was an engineer. He graduated from Princeton University and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute between 1925 and 1927. Johnson was with General Electric Company in Schenectady, New York, including three years of advanced courses in engineering. Johnson taught physics at Rensselaer and worked as secretary of admissions. From 1939 to 1943 he taught at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and served as Director of Placement. Johnson worked for Goodyear Aerospace Corporation from 1943 to 1965. He then moved to the School of Technology at Kent State University to teach until his retirement in 1974. After retirement, Johnson completed volunteer genealogical work at KSU Library and at the Western Reserve Historical Society in Cleveland, Ohio.
Among his engineering and technical accomplishments, Johnson was known for advancing the design of helicopter rotor blades for the U.S. Air Force while working at Goodyear Aerospace Corporation. Other achievements included inventions for the wing for an inflatable airplane; a way of attaching a curtain inside a blimp to support a loaded car; and an idea for an inflatable space station.
Content Description
Collection contains biographical and genealogical information; news clippings primarily from Goodyear; technical reports by Johnson and other engineers concerning helicopters and related projects; proceedings of the American Helicopter Society forum with a paper by Johnson and R. Mayne; photographs; patents; publicity brochures on Goodyear Aircraft Inflatoplanes; and a newsletter and pamphlet from the Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Use of the Collection
Restrictions on Use
Copyright InformationThe researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
Restrictions on Use
Statement on Potentially Harmful Language and Images Found in CollectionsThe American Heritage Center aspires to approach all areas of our work in ways that are respectful to those who create, use, and are represented in our collections. For a variety of reasons, however, users may encounter offensive or harmful language or images in some of our finding aids, catalogs, and collection materials.
Note that the AHC does not censor or alter contents of the collections as they provide context and evidence of a time, people, place, or event. Therefore, we encourage users to bring questions and concerns about descriptions in our finding aids to our attention via email or anonymous web-form. For more information, read our full statement.
Preferred Citation
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
Administrative Information
Return to TopDetailed Description of the Collection
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Inventories
The American Heritage Center is in the process of converting its older container lists to a more accessible format. This link is to an older version of a container list for 2 boxes.
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Description: Link to Container List (PDF)Container: Box 1-2
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Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Aeronautics.
- Engineering.
- Engineers.
