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Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story Research files, 1942-2013, bulk 1942-1955

 

Summary

Creator:
Rotundo, Louis C.
Abstract:
This collection contains the files that Louis Rotundo used for the research of his book, Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story. The book "describes the complete history of the world's first supersonic aircraft, the Bell X-1." Materials consist of manuscripts, reports, interview transcripts, news clippings, photographs, and multimedia. This collection provides insight into the history of the X-1 plane and the work of Louis Rotundo. Louis C. Rotundo was born on October 28, 1949. He graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 1975 and then worked for United States Senator Lawton Childes as an aide. Rotundo served as a lobbyist for the State of Florida and was employed by UCF from 1980 to 1988 as Special Assistant to the Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Special Assistant to the President of UCF from 1984 to 1987. After departing from UCF in 1988, Rotundo worked as the Principal of Louis Rotundo and Associates, a Central Florida based company that specializes in lobbying and consulting.
Extent:
8.25 Linear Feet 15 Boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story Research files, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

This collection contains the files that Louis Rotundo used for the research of his book, Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story. The book "describes the complete history of the world's first supersonic aircraft, the Bell X-1." Materials consist of manuscripts, reports, interview transcripts, news clippings, photographs, and multimedia. This collection provides insight into the history of the X-1 plane and the work of Louis Rotundo.

Series I: Manuscripts, 1989-1991, undated contains 11 manuscripts including Forgotten Dawn and Into the Unknown.

Series II: Research files, 1943-2013, undated contains 73 research files used by the author when writing Into the Unknown. Research files include reports, interview notes and transcripts, and news clippings.

Series III: Photographs, 1942-1995, undated contains 302 photographs, broken up into 8 subseries, including photographs of the Pinecastle Army Airfield tests and Muroc tests. Photographs also depict Bell company employees and aircrafts.

Series IV: Multimedia files, 1946-2003, undated contains 27 multimedia, including VHS tapes, audio cassettes, floppy disks, and film. Media contains documentaries on the X-1 and other X-Planes, and interviews with individuals that worked on the X-1 project.

Biographical / historical:

Louis C. Rotundo was born on October 28, 1949. He graduated from the University of Central Florida (UCF) in 1975 and then worked for United States Senator Lawton Childes as an aide. Rotundo served as a lobbyist for the State of Florida and was employed by UCF from 1980 to 1988 as Special Assistant to the Director of the Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC) and Special Assistant to the President of UCF from 1984 to 1987. After departing from UCF in 1988, Rotundo worked as the Principal of Louis Rotundo and Associates, a Central Florida based company that specializes in lobbying and consulting.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Louis C. Rotundo in 2019 (Accession no. CFM2019_08).
Processing information:

Processed and finding aid prepared by Alexander S. Jerome. Finding aid revised for consistency by Chloe Lanham in 2026.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by material type.

Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

The entire collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Into the Unknown: The X-1 Story Research files, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Location of this collection:
John C. Hitt Library
12701 Pegasus Drive, Building 2
Orlando
FL
32816-8030
USA