BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Natl Air and Space Museum -- Gallery 108: (a) Welcome Center

DC -- Natl Air and Space Museum -- Gallery 108: (a) Welcome Center:

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Description of Pictures: The Enterprise model and new information desk get installed.

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. GAL108_160406_14.JPG: Voyager: Around the World without a Pit Stop November 1, 1987 – October 15, 2019 On December 23, 1986, Voyager completed the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world. Voyager, a unique aircraft constructed almost entirely of lightweight graphite-honeycomb composite materials and laden with fuel, lifted from Edwards AFB, California at 8:01:44 a.m., Pacific Standard Time, on Dec. 14 1986, and returned 9 days later at 8:05:28 a.m., Pacific Standard Time on Dec. 23, 1986. For their record-breaking flight, the pilots, Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, the designer, Burt Rutan, and the crew chief, Bruce Evans, earned the Collier Trophy, aviation's most prestigious award.
2. GAL108_160630_032.JPG: This is the map on the wall. The red star indicates where it's located. Note that the entire vertical section is named the "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall".
3. GAL108_160630_040.JPG: This is the map that's in the freebie hand-out they give you. Of course it's flipped over to make things tougher to compare but notice the vertical area now has two names like it always did "Welcome Center [Gallery] 108" and "Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall [Gallery] 100". Both of them show the Starship Enterprise which didn't officially go on display until July 1, 2016 so both maps were done about the same time. The Welcome Center used to be in the "Welcome Center" hall but you'll notice the big blue "?" indicator was moved into the Milestones gallery as part of the July 1 launch. So the printed map is both inconsistent with the wall map and the label for the gallery doesn't match what's in the gallery. I presume they'll fix these things up at some point. If you're anal like me, these sorts of things bug you to no end!
4. GAL108_160704_004.JPG: The Space Mural: A Cosmic View Robert T. McCall This mural represents the optimistic imagination of space exploration. This mural, created by Robert McCall for the opening of this museum in 1976, represents the past, present, and future of our universe. On the far left is an imaginative depiction of the "big bang" theory of the creation of the universe. In the middle stands an Apollo astronaut on the Moon -- a recent event in 1976. To the right are a lunar rover and a second astronaut near a lunar landing module. The command and service module containing the third crew member orbits about the lunar lander. Above planet Earth is the Sun, its rays illuminating the vast region of space open to future exploration. "The goal of The Space Mural is to inspire in those who view a, a sense of awe in the majesty of the universe, a feeling of pride in man's achievements in space, and a profound optimism about the future." -- Robert T. McCall Robert T. McCall: Robert McCall was one of the 20th century's foremost aviation and space artists. After working for LIFE, the Saturday Evening Post, and Popular Science, he traveled the world with the Air Force art program. For NASA's art program, McCall attended launches and befriended many astronauts. In 1968 he created a set of paintings used to advertise 2001: A Space Odyssey. McCall's artwork also graced building walls, US postage stamps, and NASA mission patches. Envisioning Space: Imagine that a famous museum with a world-class collection of airplanes and spacecraft just called and asked you to design a mural for them. The wall is a huge "L" shape, about 18 meters (59 feet) tall and 23 meters (75 feet) wide. The subject is space. What would you draw? How do you picture space? If you look just to the right of the image of the Moon, you will see a small, five-pointed star, with rays extending to its left. Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean painted this star on the mural, at McCalls' invitation. McCall took care to depict the technological aspects of his subjects accurately. Compare the lunar module at the far right side of the mural with the real one on display nearby in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall. The STS-133 mission patch design for Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight is based on sketches by McCall. When the astronauts heard McCall had died, they thought he had not completed the designs. But a package arrived at NASA the next week, carrying McCall's final works of art. McCall, shown here at work on A Cosmic View shortly before the Museum's opening in 1976, was born in Columbus, Ohio, and began his art career as an illustrator in Chicago after World War II. McCall used scaffolding to reach all parts of the wall as he painted on site in 1976. The Space Mural is acrylic on Belgian linen. These are details of some of the concepts McCall created for this space mural.
5. GAL108_160704_008.JPG: This mural, created by Robert McCall for the opening of this museum in 1976, represents the past, present, and future of our universe. On the far left is an imaginative depiction of the "big bang" theory of the creation of the universe. In the middle stands an Apollo astronaut on the Moon -- a recent event in 1976. To the right are a lunar rover and a second astronaut near a lunar landing module. The command and service module containing the third crew member orbits about the lunar lander. Above planet Earth is the Sun, its rays illuminating the vast region of space open to future exploration. "The goal of The Space Mural is to inspire in those who view a, a sense of awe in the majesty of the universe, a feeling of pride in man's achievements in space, and a profound optimism about the future." -- Robert T. McCall If you look just to the right of the image of the Moon, you will see a small, five-pointed star, with rays extending to its left. Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean painted this star on the mural, at McCalls' invitation. McCall took care to depict the technological aspects of his subjects accurately. Compare the lunar module at the far right side of the mural with the real one on display nearby in the Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.
6. GAL108_160704_012.JPG: Robert T. McCall: Robert McCall was one of the 20th century's foremost aviation and space artists. After working for LIFE, the Saturday Evening Post, and Popular Science, he traveled the world with the Air Force art program. For NASA's art program, McCall attended launches and befriended many astronauts. In 1968 he created a set of paintings used to advertise 2001: A Space Odyssey. McCall's artwork also graced building walls, US postage stamps, and NASA mission patches. The STS-133 mission patch design for Space Shuttle Discovery's final flight is based on sketches by McCall. When the astronauts heard McCall had died, they thought he had not completed the designs. But a package arrived at NASA the next week, carrying McCall's final works of art. McCall, shown here at work on A Cosmic View shortly before the Museum's opening in 1976, was born in Columbus, Ohio, and began his art career as an illustrator in Chicago after World War II.
7. GAL108_160704_015.JPG: Envisioning Space: Imagine that a famous museum with a world-class collection of airplanes and spacecraft just called and asked you to design a mural for them. The wall is a huge "L" shape, about 18 meters (59 feet) tall and 23 meters (75 feet) wide. The subject is space. What would you draw? How do you picture space? McCall used scaffolding to reach all parts of the wall as he painted on site in 1976. The Space Mural is acrylic on Belgian linen. These are details of some of the concepts McCall created for this space mural.
8. GAL108_160704_020.JPG: Welcome to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum Aviation and spaceflight transformed the world. You are surrounded by some of the most significant airplanes, rockets, and spacecraft in history. They tell tales of ingenuity and courage, war and peace, politics and power, as well as society and culture. These milestones have made our planet smaller and universe larger. As you visit the National Air and Space Museum, ask yourself, "How have aviation and spaceflight transformed my world?"
9. GAL108_160704_027.JPG: Wright Brothers Trophy: Awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association to a living American in recognition of significant service of enduring value to aviation in the United States.
10. GAL108_160704_029.JPG: National Air and Space Museum Trophy: Presented to recognize both lifetime and current achievements involving the management or execution to a scientific or technological project, a distinguished career of service in air and space technology, or a significant contribution in chronicling the history of air and space technology.
11. GAL108_160704_034.JPG: Frank G. Brewer Trophy: Awarded by the National Aeronautic Association in recognition of outstanding contributions to developments in the fields of aerospace education and training.
12. GAL108_160704_039.JPG: Collier Trophy: Awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association for "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."
13. GAL108_160704_046.JPG: Kelly Johnson Award: Awarded by the Society of Flight Test Engineers in recognition of outstanding achievement in the field of flight test engineering.
14. GAL108_160704_052.JPG: Clifford B. Harmon Aviatrix Trophy: Awarded annually by the National Aeronautic Association to the world's outstanding aviatrix, with the art of flying receiving first consideration.
15. GAL108_160704_056.JPG: Glen A. Gilbert Memorial Award Trophy: Awarded by the Air Traffic Control Association to an individual whose achievements are in more than one aviation discipline and who has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to aviation and aviation safety.
16. GAL108_160704_064.JPG: Donald D. Engen Aero Club Trophy for Aviation Excellence: Awarded annually by the Aero Club of Washington, DC, to honor an individual, team, corporation, or organization that reaffirms the Wright brothers' standard of excellence in aviation.
17. GAL108_160704_070.JPG: Amelia Earhart World Flight, Katherine Stinson Award: This trophy was originally intended to be awarded by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation to Amelia Earhart in 1938 for completing her around the world flight. The National Aviation Club resurrected the trophy in 1996 to honor women's achievements in aviation or space.
18. GAL108_160704_078.JPG: Iven C. Kincheloe Award: Awarded by the Society of Experimental Test Pilots to recognize outstanding professional accomplishment in the conduct of flight testing.
19. GAL108_160704_081.JPG: Clifford Henderson Award for Achievement: Awarded by the National Aviation Club to recognize individuals for their outstanding contributions that further the development and advancement of aviation.
20. GAL108_160704_085.JPG: Clifford B. Harmon International Aviator Trophy: Awarded for the most outstanding international achievements in the preceding year, with the art of flying receiving first consideration.
21. GAL108_160704_093.JPG: Langley Medal: Presented at irregular intervals for specially meritorious investigations in the field of aerospace science.
22. GAL108_160704_098.JPG: Goddard Award: Presented to a person who has made a brilliant discovery or series of contributions over time in the engineering science of propulsion or energy conversion.
23. GAL108_160704_103.JPG: Laura Taber Barbour Air Safety Award: Awarded for notable achievement in the field of aviation safety -- civil or military -- in method, design, invention, study or other improvement.
24. GAL108_160704_108.JPG: Daniel Guggenheim Medal: Awarded jointly by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, the Society of Automotive Engineers, the American Society of Engineers, and the United Engineering Trustees, Inc. for great achievements in aeronautics.
25. GAL108_160704_113.JPG: Charles Stark Draper Prize: Awarded biannually for outstanding achievement in all fields of engineering and technology that contribute to human welfare and freedom.
26. GAL108_160704_118.JPG: Elmer A. Sperry Award: Awarded in recognition of a distinguished engineering contribution which, through application proved in actual service, has advanced the art of transportation whether by land, sea, or air.
27. GAL108_160704_142.JPG: Earth Flight Environment Eric Sloane This mural represents the freedom and environment of flight. Earth Flight Environment is artist Eric Sloane's tribute to America's spacious skies. Known for his remarkable renditions of clouds, Sloane captured the essence and variety of weather above the panoramic landscape of the American Southwest as a lone aircraft crosses the sky. On the left the painting changes from realistic to symbolic, as lightning, rain, a rainbow, and myriad cloud formations rise toward a rocket airplane. Finally, the top of the vertical segment depicts the aurora borealis and the stars of space. Earth Flight Environment is Sloane's largest and most well-known cloud painting. Sloan decorated the border at the bottom of the mural with a variety of symbols used on weather maps. Eric Sloane: Eric Sloane was one of America's most accomplished artists. A student of the Hudson Valley School of natural landscapes, he created more than 15,000 paintings and wrote 38 books. A native of New York City, Sloane was attracted to the beautiful simplicity of early American rural architecture and tools. From his studios in Connecticut and New Mexico, he explored his fascination with wood and the many ways early Americans used it. A Passion for Clouds: Sloane became enamored with clouds and weather at an early age. While painting numbers on aircraft at Floyd Bennett Field on Long Island in the early 1930s, he met famed aviator Wiley Post, who flew him high above New York. Sloane was struck by the beauty and power of the atmosphere. His first of many "cloudscape" customers was Amelia Earhart. During World War II, the Army Air Forces used his cloud drawings to illustrated flight training manuals. Note that the mural extends upward to the ceiling of the second floor. Can you spot the X-15 aircraft high up at the boundary between air and space? Notice the row of symbols along the bottom. These are meteorological markings used on weather maps. Sloane began painting the mural in September 1975 and finished two months later. On a base of Belgian linen, he used 400 quarts of durable acrylic paint, chosen for its resistance to fading in heat and sunlight. "A Reverence for Wood" is one of Sloane's most widely known books. During World War II, Sloane illustrated numerous flight training manuals to teach pilots and aircrews about the atmosphere. Sloane superimposed a grid over his original painting and then transposed the image in each grid to the wall. Sloane used a large scaffold to paint his mural.
28. GAL108_160704_150.JPG: "A Reverence for Wood" is one of Sloane's most widely known books. During World War II, Sloane illustrated numerous flight training manuals to teach pilots and aircrews about the atmosphere.
29. GAL108_160704_154.JPG: Sloane superimposed a grid over his original painting and then transposed the image in each grid to the wall. Sloane used a large scaffold to paint his mural.
30. GAL108_160704_164.JPG: Rutan Voyager Voyager demonstrated the strength and efficiency of an all-composite airframe by flying nonstop around the world without refueling. On December 23, 1986, Voyager completed the first nonstop, non-refueled flight around the world. A unique aircraft constructed almost entirely of lightweight graphite-honeycomb composite materials and laden with fuel, Voyager lifted off from Edwards Air Force Base in California on December 14, 1986. It returned nine days later, after following a route determined by weather, wind, politics, and geography. For their record-breaking flight, pilots Dick Rutan and Jeana Yeager, designed Burt Rutan, and crew chief Bruce Evans earned the Collier Trophy, aviation's most prestigious award. An Innovative Design: Burt Rutan designed Voyager for low-speed efficiency. He created popular homebuilt airplanes such as the VariViggen and VariEze, and also SpaceShipOne and Voyager's jet-powered successor, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer. Rutan favored composites over heavier aluminum alloys for their lightweight strength, and canard configurations (the elevator placed in the front) for low drag. A Flying Fuel Tank: More than 72 percent of Voyager's gross takeoff weight consisted of fuel, some 4,281 liters (1,131 gallons) of it. The fuel was distributed in 17 tanks in the wings, twin tail booms, and fuselage. At the end of the flight, only 121 liters (32 gallons) remained. Voyager burned about 10 kiloliters per kilometer (almost 25 miles per gallon). Look for the crew cabin. It's about the size of a large freezer. Can you imagine flying in it with another person for nine days? Before Voyager, composite materials were used on only small parts. After Voyager, the aviation industry greatly expanded composite use. "I had a lot of fun building airplanes that people could build in their garages. And some 3,000 of these are flying. Of course, one of them is [the] around-the-world Voyager." -- Burt Rutan Two engines powered Voyager: a forward air-cooled engine used only for takeoff and while climbing over bad weather, and a liquid-cooled rear engine that ran for the entire flight. For four tense minutes before the end of the flight, a blocked fuel line cut off the gasoline supply before power was restored.
31. GAL108_160704_173.JPG: Brothers Burt and Dick Rutan pose for Jeana Yeager, who is holding a sample of aircraft composite material. Dick Rutan was a decorated Vietnam-era Air Force fighter pilot and test pilot. Jeana Yeager was a record-setting sport aviation pilot. (She is not related to Chuck Yeager.) Their flight was a test of human endurance. While composites were already widely used in military and commercial aircraft, Voyager was one of the first aircraft made entirely of this lightweight material instead of heavier aluminum alloys.
32. GAL108_160704_176.JPG: Two engines powered Voyager: a forward air-cooled engine used only for takeoff and while climbing over bad weather, and a liquid-cooled rear engine that ran for the entire flight. For four tense minutes before the end of the flight, a blocked fuel line cut off the gasoline supply before power was restored.
33. GAL108_160704_200.JPG: Ballooning Balloons first allowed humans to fly and symbolized the revolutionary changes sweeping 18th-century Europe and America. Human beings first took to the sky in balloons. Although small hot air balloons were flown centuries ago in Asia, the first people did not venture aloft until 1783, when the brothers Jacques and Etienne Montgolfier sent the first passengers aloft in hot air balloons in France. Later that year, the chemist J.A.C. Charles and a companion flew in a hydrogen balloon in Paris. The techniques and technologies of ballooning discovered in the 18th century remain the guiding principles of lighter-than-air flight today. Balloon Valve: This large wooden valve is from Thaddeus Lowes' City of New York. It was located at the top of the balloon and used to release hydrogen to change the balloon's altitude. "What is the use of a newborn babe?" -- Benjamin Franklin, when asked about the usefulness of ballooning A Symbol of Change and Power: The balloon came to symbolize revolution, both in Europe and the United States. Benjamin Franklin and other Americas negotiating the end of the Revolutionary War in Paris in 1783 witnessed balloon flights. People were breaking the chains of gravity at the same time that Americans were casting off the links binding them to Britain. The huge crowds gathered to witness the flights of 1783 worried the French court, which recognized the potential danger of the masses. Modern Ballooning: When hot-air and gas ballooning technology has changed little since the late 18th century, balloons are still used in many ways for scientific research, record-setting, or just for fun. Two unmanned balloons equipped with instruments explored the atmosphere of Venus in 1985 as part of the Soviet Union's Vega 1 and 2 probes. An engineering model of Vega and gondolas of the two balloons shown below are on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. The first ascent of the Montgolfier balloon on November 21, 1783, from the garden of the Chateau de la Muette. You are standing near where Thaddeus Lowe flew a tethered balloon to show President Lincoln how the Union Army could use balloons for spying. Look for the commemorative plaque outside on the terrace on the National Mall side. Before balloons, human beings had never flown. Seeing the Earth from a new perspective changed people's thoughts on geography, science, politics, and society. From the outset, the military value of the balloon was apparent. Revolutionary France first used observation balloons in the battles of Fleurus and Charieroi in 1794. In the American Civil War, Thaddeus Lowe established the first U.S. military aeronautical unit, and flew his first observation balloon in combat in 1862. This woodcut illustration shows Lowe's City of New York, designed to cross the Atlantic in 1859. Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman fulfilled Thaddeus Lowe's dream of a transatlantic flight. They flew the Double Eagle II from Presque Isle, Maine, to France in six days, landing the helium-filled balloon on August 17, 1978. Between March 1 and 21, 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the first nonstop flight around the world with a free balloon when they guided the Breitling Orbiter 3 about 46,000 kilometers (29,000 miles) from Switzerland to the Egyptian desert.
34. GAL108_160704_206.JPG: A Symbol of Change and Power: The balloon came to symbolize revolution, both in Europe and the United States. Benjamin Franklin and other Americas negotiating the end of the Revolutionary War in Paris in 1783 witnessed balloon flights. People were breaking the chains of gravity at the same time that Americans were casting off the links binding them to Britain. The huge crowds gathered to witness the flights of 1783 worried the French court, which recognized the potential danger of the masses. From the outset, the military value of the balloon was apparent. Revolutionary France first used observation balloons in the battles of Fleurus and Charieroi in 1794. In the American Civil War, Thaddeus Lowe established the first U.S. military aeronautical unit, and flew his first observation balloon in combat in 1862. This woodcut illustration shows Lowe's City of New York, designed to cross the Atlantic in 1859.
35. GAL108_160704_209.JPG: Modern Ballooning: When hot-air and gas ballooning technology has changed little since the late 18th century, balloons are still used in many ways for scientific research, record-setting, or just for fun. Two unmanned balloons equipped with instruments explored the atmosphere of Venus in 1985 as part of the Soviet Union's Vega 1 and 2 probes. An engineering model of Vega and gondolas of the two balloons shown below are on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. Ben Abruzzo, Maxie Anderson, and Larry Newman fulfilled Thaddeus Lowe's dream of a transatlantic flight. They flew the Double Eagle II from Presque Isle, Maine, to France in six days, landing the helium-filled balloon on August 17, 1978. Between March 1 and 21, 1999, Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones completed the first nonstop flight around the world with a free balloon when they guided the Breitling Orbiter 3 about 46,000 kilometers (29,000 miles) from Switzerland to the Egyptian desert.
36. GAL108_160704_213.JPG: You are standing near where Thaddeus Lowe flew a tethered balloon to show President Lincoln how the Union Army could use balloons for spying. Look for the commemorative plaque outside on the terrace on the National Mall side.
37. GAL108_160704_215.JPG: From the outset, the military value of the balloon was apparent. Revolutionary France first used observation balloons in the battles of Fleurus and Charieroi in 1794. In the American Civil War, Thaddeus Lowe established the first U.S. military aeronautical unit, and flew his first observation balloon in combat in 1862.
38. GAL108_160704_226.JPG: Ballooning The Scientific Method: Lighter-than-air flight grew out of the scientific revolution. Studies of atmospheric physics during the 17th century culminated in Robert Boyle's description of the relationship between volume, temperature, and pressure and inspired lighter-than-air flight. Chemists in the 18th century began identifying the gases of the atmosphere. Once hydrogen was isolated, the idea of filling a bag with this light gas followed naturally. The inventors of the balloon based their work on the scientific method, a new concept.
39. GAL108_160704_229.JPG: Balloons first allowed humans to fly and symbolized the revolutionary changes sweeping 18th-century Europe and America. Fascinated by chemistry and physics, Dr. John Jeffries wanted to gather useful scientific information during his flights. He carried both instruments displayed here on his first flight and took the barometer on his flight across the English Channel. On Back Wall: Barometer (left) and Thermometer (right): This barometer and thermometer are the oldest flight instruments in the world. Boston physician Dr. John Jeffries purchased them for his flight from London with the French aeronaut Jean-Pierre Blanchard on November 29, 1784. With that ascent, Jeffries became the first American to make a free flight. He also accompanied Blanchard on the first flight across the English Channel on January 7, 1785. Although Jeffries remained loyal to Britain during the American Revolution, he returned to the United States in 1790 after an 11-year absence.
40. GAL108_160704_233.JPG: Fascinated by chemistry and physics, Dr. John Jeffries wanted to gather useful scientific information during his flights. He carried both instruments displayed here on his first flight and took the barometer on his flight across the English Channel.
41. GAL108_160704_235.JPG: Balloonomania: Balloon-inspired hair and clothing styles were all the rage in the final years of the 18th century. Craftsmen and merchants produced jewelry, hats, fans, snuff boxes, match and needle cases, dinnerware, wall paper, bird cages, chandeliers, clocks, furniture, and a host of other balloon-themed objects to attract the yee and open the pocketbook of customers.
AAA "Gem": AAA considers this location to be a "must see" point of interest. To see pictures of other areas that AAA considers to be Gems, click here.
Bigger photos? To save server space, the full-sized versions of these images have either not been loaded to the server or have been removed from the server. (Only some pages are loaded with full-sized images and those usually get removed after three months.) I still have them though. If you want me to email them to you, please send an email to guthrie.bruce@gmail.com and I can email them to you, or, depending on the number of images, just repost the page again will the full-sized images.
Connection Not Secure messages? Those warnings you get from your browser about this site not having secure connections worry some people. This means this site does not have SSL installed (the link is http:, not https:). That's bad if you're entering credit card numbers, passwords, or other personal information. But this site doesn't collect any personal information so SSL is not necessary. Life's good!
Photo Contact: [Email Bruce Guthrie].