Biographical Memoirs Volume 67 (1995) / Chapter Skim
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Clarence Leonard (Kelly) Johnson
Clarence Leonard (Kelly) Johnson
Pages 220-241
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From page 221... ...
Johnson played a leading role in the design of more than forty aircraft and set up a Skunk Works-type operation to develop a Lockheed satellite—the Agena-D that became the nation's workhorse in space. His achievements over almost six decades captured every major aviation design award and the highest civilian honors of the U.S.
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From page 222... ...
Born in the upper peninsula town of Ishpeming, Michigan, on February Y7, 1910, Clarence Johnson received his Irish nickname of Kelly in elementary school from a song of that day, "Kelly from the Emerald Isle," following a schoolyard fight. His classmates figured that someone who had licked the school bully should be known by a somewhat more pugilistic name.
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From page 223... ...
at the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor in 1929. There was virtually no construction work in Ann Arbor at the onset of the Great Depression, so Johnson worked his way through college washing dishes in fraternity houses until becoming a student assistant to the head of the aeronautical engineering department at the university.
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From page 224... ...
Lockheed executive Cyril Chappellet and Chief Engineer Hall Hibbard hired the young Johnson ~ _
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From page 225... ...
In 1937 the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences presented the Lawrence Sperry Award to Johnson for "important improvements of aeronautical design of high speed commercial aircraft" for development of the Fowler flap on the Mocle} 14. The Sperry award was given annually "for outstanding achievements in aeronautics by young men."
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From page 226... ...
In 193S, with HitIer's Germany threatening war, Britain sent a purchasing commission to the United States to buy military aircraft especially a coastal patrol bomber that could act as an antisubmarine plane. Visiting various American aircraft firms, the commission originally did not intend to come to Lockheed.
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From page 227... ...
Following a week of additional discussions, the Air Ministry chief called Gross aside and said (as recalled by Courtiandt Gross later)
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From page 228... ...
Army Air Corps asked Lockheed to hurriedly design a fighter around a British DeHavilland jet engine in the wake of disturbing reports that the Nazis had flown their own highspeed jet fighter in the skies over Europe. Under an agreement negotiated by Johnson, Lockheed was to deliver a prototype jet aircraft within only ninety days.
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From page 229... ...
Among Johnson's military aircraft from the Skunk Works following the Shooting Star were the T-33 trainer, the aerial "schoolroom" responsible for teaching more pilots to fly jets than any other plane; the record-setting I,300-mph F104 Starfighter, the first operational airplane to fly twice the speed of sound in level flight; and the P2V Neptune antisubmarine patrol plane, which established a nonstop distance record of Il,235 miles in 1946. Johnson also played a major role in the development of the Constellation, which started out as a commercial airliner design, then was taken over by the military cluring World War I!
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From page 230... ...
over long flights was the toughest job the Skunk Works ever had and the most difficult of my career. Aircraft operating at those speeds would require development of special fuels, structural materials, manufacturing tools and techniques, hydraulic fluid, fuel tank sealants, paints, plastics, wiring, and connecting plugs.
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From page 231... ...
highest-flying aircraft. The secret of Kelly Johnson's success was really no secret.
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From page 232... ...
Saic! President Lyn don Johnson when he presented the National Medal of Science to Johnson at the White House in 1966: Kelly Johnson and the products of his famous Skunk Works epitomize the highest and finest goal of our society- the goal of excellence.
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From page 233... ...
"A Farewell to Lockheed's Great Kelly Johnson." Lockheed Advanced Development Company Star, employee newspaper, January 24, 1991. "A Letter to Kelly Johnson." Video, 1989.
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From page 234... ...
Presented annually "for outstanding achievement in aeronautics by young men." 1941 The Wright Brothers Medal, presented by the Society of Automotive Engineers for work on control problems of four-engine airplanes. 1956 The Sylvanus Albert Reed Award, presented by the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences, for "design and rapid development of highperformance subsonic and supersonic aircraft." 1959 Corecipient of the Collier Trophy as designer of the airframe of the F-104 Starf~ghter, sharing the honor with General Electric (engine)
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From page 235... ...
1966 The Sylvanus Albert Reed Award (his second) , given by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics "in recognition of notable contributions to the aerospace sciences resulting from experimental or theoretical investigations." National Medal of Science, presented by President Lyndon B
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From page 236... ...
1969 The General William Mitchell Memorial Award, presented by the Aviators Post 743 of the American Legion at Biltmore Hotel, Wings Club, February 14. 1970 The Spirit of St.
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From page 237... ...
1978 Sponsored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, "A Salute to Kelly Johnson" night—an hour-long multimedia presentation of his career highlights. 1980 Bernt Balchen Trophy, the highest award of the New York State Air Force Association, presented annually to "an individual of national prominence whose contribution to the field of aviation has been unique, extensive or of great significance." 1981 The Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service, presented by Defense Secretary Harold Brown.
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From page 238... ...
1984 Appointed Royal Designer for Industry, an honor originally established in 1936 by the British Royal Society of Arts recognizing designers who have attained eminence, efficiency, and visual excellence in creative design for industry. Limited to 100 recipients, Johnson was the seventy-second to receive the appointment.
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From page 239... ...
CLARENCE LEONARD JOHNSON 1986 239 Recognized by titanium producers association for the "earliest largescale use of titanium in an aircraft primary structure." 1987 The Lord Medal for "Leadership in Wealth Creation," for "contributions to the development of products that add to the civilized aspects of human societies." 1988 The National Medal of Technology for "outstanding achievements in the design of a series of commercial, military and reconnaissance aircraft that have incorporated a wide range of technological advancements." Inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame in recognition of his many outstanding contributions to the field of aviation. 1990 National Air and Space Museum Trophy from the Smithsonian Institution "in recognition of extraordinary service in aviation, space science, and technology" and for the SR-71, a "past achievement that has contributed significantly to advancing aerospace activities." 1991 National Management Association Hall of Fame.
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From page 240... ...
. Airplane Design for Model JetStar (D-191,243~.
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