This collection chiefly documents Ralph Clay Swann's work as Technical Director at the Redstone Arsenal Ordnance Missile Laboratories in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. Contained in the files are news clippings, photographs, ...
MoreThis collection chiefly documents Ralph Clay Swann's work as Technical Director at the Redstone Arsenal Ordnance Missile Laboratories in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. Contained in the files are news clippings, photographs, certificates, citations, lectures and speeches given by Swann. A few items relate to Swann's education, to his work in private industry, or to his work at North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University). Born in West Virginia in 1912, Ralph Swann received a B.S. in chemistry from Morris Harvey College and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Swann was a research chemist and director of research in private industry from 1933 to 1951. He served as Deputy Chief, Assistant Director and Technical Director of the Ordnance Missile Laboratories, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama, 1953-1961. As Director, he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. In January 1961, Dr. Swann came to North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) as Head of the Chemistry Department. He worked in that capacity until his death in 1967.
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