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Scott H. Simpkinson collection, 1943-1989

 

Summary

Creator:
Simpkinson, Scott H., 1919-1996
Abstract:
The Scott H. Simpkinson collection, 1943-1989 contains the materials Simpkinson collected during his tenure as an engineer for NASA. Materials are largely produced by NASA, and include information about the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Viking missions, as well as the Space Shuttle program. The collection also includes materials produced by outside engineering firms and Simpkinson's personal effects. These materials consist of reports, publications, photographs, and objects. This collection provides insight into the early days of NASA, key missions, and the career of Scott Simpkinson. Scott H. Simpkinson was born on August 24, 1919, in Piqua, Ohio. Simpkinson graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1943 and was subsequently employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), then the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), as an engineer from the 1950s until his retirement in the early 1980s. Simpkinson worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Viking missions, as well as the Space Shuttle. Scott Simpkinson died on August 8, 1996.
Extent:
12.8 Linear Feet 14 boxes
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Scott H. Simpkinson collection, Special Collections & University Archives, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida.

Background

Scope and content:

The Scott H. Simpkinson collection, 1943-1989 contains the materials Simpkinson collected during his tenure as an engineer for NASA. Materials are largely produced by NASA, and include information about the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Viking missions, as well as the Space Shuttle program. The collection also includes materials produced by outside engineering firms and Simpkinson's personal effects. These materials consist of reports, publications, photographs, and objects. This collection provides insight into the early days of NASA, key missions, and the career of Scott Simpkinson.

Series I: NASA, 1959-1989 contains materials produced by NASA including reports, photographs, and objects. The Projects subseries is further divided into information about the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Viking missions, and the Space Shuttle program.

Series II: Outside Engineering, 1959-1981 contains materials produced by outside engineering firms, such as McDonnell Douglas Corporation, Boeing Corporation, and the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel. These materials include correspondence between NASA and the outside firms, as well as manuals, publications, and reports produced for NASA.

Series III: Personal, 1943-1982 consists of objects and photographs that were the personal effects of Scott H. Simpkinson. These objects include materials from his office, such as plaques and other wall hangings. Of special interest in this series is Simpkinson's NASA crew jacket and a large photo collage signed by many of his colleagues at NASA.

Biographical / historical:

Scott H. Simpkinson was born on August 24, 1919, in Piqua, Ohio. Simpkinson graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1943 and was subsequently employed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), then the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), as an engineer from the 1950s until his retirement in the early 1980s. Simpkinson worked at the Lewis Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, the Manned Spacecraft Center (Johnson Space Center) in Houston, Texas, and Cape Canaveral on Florida's Space Coast. Simpkinson worked on the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and Viking missions, as well as the Space Shuttle. During his tenure at NASA, Simpkinson authored reports and was regularly invited to give lectures in his area of expertise. Scott Simpkinson died on August 8, 1996.

Acquisition information:
Donated by Emily Ertl in 2003 (Accession no. CFM2003_08).
Processing information:

Processed and finding aid prepared by Jessica Achberger; finding aid prepared by Jessica Achberger.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged by record producer. The NASA and Outside Engineering series' are arranged further 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], Scott H. Simpkinson collection, 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