University of Wyoming
Theodore J. Gordon (1930–2024) was a futurist, engineer, and author in the United States. He co-founded the Millennium Project, co-created the Institute for the Future, and served as president of The Futures Group, the first for-profit futurist think tank in the United States, founded in 1971. Gordon had an extensive engineering career, working as Chief Engineer on the McDonnell Douglas Saturn S-IV space vehicle project and serving as Group Vice President for Missiles and Space Systems at Douglas Aircraft from 1952 to 1968. He also directed Advanced Space Stations and Planetary Systems, overseeing early Apollo flight development and launches from Cape Canaveral. In the field of futures research, Gordon was instrumental in pioneering the Delphi Method, co-authoring the first large-scale Delphi study in 1964 while consulting with RAND from 1963 to 1964 and again from 1967 to 1968. His work significantly influenced forecasting methodologies and strategic planning in both aerospace and futures studies. Gordon passed away in February 2024 at the age of 93.
This collection contains an unpublished autobiography, correspondence, and manuscripts of Theodore J. Gordon’s works, including “First into Outer Space,” “The Future,” “Ideas in Conflict,” and “A Survey of Missile and Space Engineering.” Also included are drafts of the book “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Moon” ghost written for Lois C. Philmus.
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Jackson Davis papers, 1952-1997, M.E. Grenander Special Collections and Archives, University at Albany.
Finding aid available in repository.
This material was recieved from Theodore J. Gordon in 1973.
This collection was processed by Brittany Heye in February 2025.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.