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Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)The processing, arrangement, and description of this collection was created as part of the project, "Piercing the Veil: Creating Access to the Archives of American Aerospace Exploration at Virginia Tech," funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) from 2022 to 2024.
Kat Zinn, Archivist
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials. Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction . Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication . Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
The collection is open for research.
Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], John E. Duberg Papers, Ms1990-056, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.
The John E. Duberg Papers were donated to Special Collections and University Archives in 1990.
The processing, arrangement, and description of the John E. Duberg Papers was completed as part of the project, "Piercing the Veil: Creating Access to the Archives of American Aerospace Exploration at Virginia Tech," funded by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) in 2024. Minimal processing was completed in 2020.
John E. Duberg was born in New York City, New York, in 1917. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Engingeering from Manhattan College in 1938. Two years later, in 1940, he received a Master of Science degree from Virginia Tech. In 1948, he received a Ph.D. in Structural Engineering from the University of Illinois, and later graduated from the Federal Executive Institute in 1971.
Duberg worked as an engineer for Cauldwell-Wingate Builders, NYC from 1938-1939. From 1943-1946, he worked at NACA Langley Labs as an aeronautical research scientist. Duberg worked as a research engineer at Standard Oil Company from 1946-1948. In 1948, Duberg returned to NACA Langley Labs to work as a research scientist until becoming chief of the structural research division at NACA in 1952. In 1956, Duberg left this position and worked as a research engineer at Aeronutronics Systems until 1957. From 1957-1959, he was a professor of structural engineering at the University of Illinois. In 1959, Duberg moved back to Langley Research Center, where he remained until retirement. Duberg began as the technical assistant to the the chief at NASA-Langley. becoming the technical assistant to the director in 1961. In 1964, he became assistant director, finally working as associate director of the theoretical mechanics division from 1968-1980.
In addition to these, Duberg worked as a research professor at George Washington University in 1979. He also acted as director of the Joint Institute of Advanced Flight Sciences from 1971-1979.
Outside of his work, Duberg was active in professional societies and received many awards. In 1950, he was a member of the Materials Advisory Board for the National Academy of Science. Later, in 1971, Duberg was a member of the subcommittee on Professional and Scientific Manpower, U.S. Department of Labor. He also acted as a member of the Industrial Advisory Committee at the University of Virginia, and was president of the advisory committee for Christopher Newport College in 1973 to 1976. Duberg was a member of the Virginia Academy of Science, New York Academy of Science, American Society for Engineering Education, and the Society of Engineering Sciences.
In 1977, Duberg received both the NASA Outstanding Leadership Award and the Fellow AIAA [DeFlorez award].
Duberg died in 2002.
The John E. Duberg Papers span from 1927 to 1980 and include a wide variety of materials reflecting Duberg's career as a research scientist and National Committee for Aeronautics (NACA)/National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) administrator. The bulk of this collection consists of publications and reports. These include reports by Duberg himself and his colleagues, publications by others in the field, and government organizations. The papers also comprises of copies of Duberg's M.S. and Ph.D. theses; drafts of speeches; correspondence; and materials from conferences and workshops attended.
The collection has been separated into seven series:
Series I: Publications and Reports, 1927-1980, n.d., contains publications, books, and reports. Many of these are from government organizations such as NASA, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Department of Transportation (DOT). There are also items from other groups, such as the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronauts (AIAA) booklets; Scientific American Magazine; University of Tennessee Space Institute (UTSI) 10th Anniversary; and Virginia Engineering Review from the University of Virginia. Subjects include professional development, technology, mechanics, education, history of NACA and NASA, labor market and management, and engineering. Series II: Committees, Organizations, and Conferences, 1960-1980, n.d., documents Duberg's involvement in professional committees and organizations. This includes meeting notes, conference materials, and agendas.
Series III: Presentations, 1948-1974, n.d., consists of presentations and talks given by Duberg and others. Topics cover space vehicles, NASA Langley's role in research, graduate education, and transport aircraft.
Series IV: Langley Research Center, 1940-1979, documents Duberg's time working with NACA and NASA. Files relate to travel authorization, general information, a Viking Project Certificate of Acknowledgment, and government position classification standards.
Series V: Theses and Notes, 1940-1976, n.d., largely consists of Duberg's own theses, drafts, and notes on writing and courses, but also contains a thesis written by Joseph E. Spagnuolo.
Series VI: Personal Files and Correspondence, 1968-1979, n.d., includes Duberg's personal files, such as a journal, as well as correspondence. Notably, this series includes an interview with Walt Bonney and correspondence with Dr. Hu, Peoples Republic of China.
Series VII: Photographs, 1973-1979, n.d., contains photographs from the Viking Mission, two Kodak slide carousels, and photographs of individuals and groups.
The collection has been separated into seven series by material type and then in chronological order except where noted:
Series I: Publications and Reports, 1927-1980, n.d., is arranged alphabetically according to group or author. For example, NASA publications and reports are grouped together. If there is more than one item from a group or author, they are arranged chronologically. Series II: Committees, Organizations, and Conferences, 1960-1980, n.d., is arranged alphabetically according to organization. For example, "Organization and Management and the Environment of Ideas" (Box 3, Folder 3) is grouped with items from the Federal Executive Institute, as the Federal Executive Institute is responsible.
Series III: Presentations, 1948-1974, n.d.
Series IV: Langley Research Center, 1940-1979
Series V: Theses and Notes, 1940-1976, n.d.
Series VI: Personal Files and Correspondence, 1968-1979, n.d.
Series VII: Photographs, 1973-1979, n.d.
The guide to the John E. Duberg Papers by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 ( https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/ ).