Finding aid for the Abe Silverstein Papers

Biography of Abe Silverstein

Abe Silverstein, 1908-2001, a giant in the field of aerospace engineering and development, was born in Terre Haute, Indiana. He received a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, in 1929, and a Mechanical Engineering professional degree, in 1934, at Rose Polytechnic Institute.

Silverstein began his professional career with the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA), in 1929, at the Langley Research Center, Hampton, Virginia. There, he helped design and, later, was placed in charge of the full-scale wind tunnel. In this facility he directed important research that led to increased high-speed performance for most of the United States combat aircraft of World War II.

In 1943, he was transferred to the NACA Aircraft and Engine Research Laboratory (later named, NACA Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory) at Cleveland, Ohio. As chief of the Wind Tunnel and Flight Division, Silverstein directed research in propulsion aerodynamics in the Altitude Wind Tunnel. These investigations led to significant improvements in both reciprocating and early turbojet aircraft engines. He also pioneered research on large-scale ramjet engines.

Following World War II, Silverstein was responsible for the concept, design and construction of the nation's first supersonic propulsion wind tunnels. The investigations in these facilities greatly contributed to the development of present-day supersonic aircraft. In 1949, he was placed in charge of all research at Lewis and in 1952 was appointed Associate Director of the laboratory.

Silverstein was called to NACA Headquarters in Washington, D. C. in 1958 to plan the organization and programs for a new space agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), to be built around NACA as its core. Subsequently, he was appointed Director of NASA's Office of Space Flight Programs that included the development of both manned and unmanned spacecraft. He initiated the Tiros weather satellites and communication satellites. He directed the task forces that carried out the Mercury manned flights. This activity laid the groundwork for the Gemini and Apollo programs and the latter's success in landing men on the moon.

Dr. Silverstein returned to Cleveland in 1961 as Director of the NASA Lewis Research Center, responsible for the development of advanced space power and propulsion systems. Under the latter program, he was the guiding force behind the creation of the Centaur launch vehicle. From its first successful launch in 1963 to the end of the century, Centaur was the workhorse of the American space program, propelling spacecraft to the moon and to the outer planets and both scientific and commercial satellites into earth orbit.

Dr. Silverstein retired in 1969 with 40 years of government service. He went on to work for Republic Steel Corporation, in Cleveland, Ohio, from 1970-1977, where he helped develop pollution controls.

Abe Silverstein received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He was American representative to the Joint Meeting of the Institute of Aeronautical Sciences and the Royal Aeronautical Society in London in 1947; he delivered the annual Wright Brothers Lecture before the Institute of Aerospace Sciences in 1948; he delivered the 49th Wilbur Wright Memorial Lecture in London in 1961; and he delivered the Biennial Theodore von Karman Memorial Lecture at the Tenth Annual Israel Conference on Aviation and Astronautics in Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1968. He was awarded an honorary engineering degree by Case Institute of Technology in 1958; an honorary Doctor of Science Degree by Rose Polytechnic Institute in 1959; an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Yeshiva University in 1960; an Honorary Doctor of Applied Science Degree by John Carroll University in 1967; and an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree by Baldwin Wallace College in 1970. He was presented the Air Force Exceptional Civilian Award in 1960; the NASA Medal for Outstanding Leadership in 1961; the National Civil Service's Career Service Award in 1962; the Sylvanus Albert Reed Award of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) in 1964; the Louis W. Hill Space Transportation Award of the AIAA in 1967; the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Rockefeller Public Service Award in 1968; and the Spirit of St. Louis Medal of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers in 1974. Lastly, in 1997, he was awarded the prestigious Guggenheim Medal for significant contributions to the advancement of flight and joined the distinguished company of previous winners, such as Orville Wright, William Boeing and Charles Lindberg.

In addition to his professional career, Dr. Silverstein was active in community and civic affairs. He was instrumental in the founding of Beth Israel-The West Temple of Cleveland in 1954. His concern for human rights led to his involvement in the Cleveland Council on Soviet Anti-Semitism, serving as President, 1965-1969. Silverstein's interest in guiding youth to constructive endeavors led to his active participation with Boy Scouts of America in city, district, and local levels. He served as a Trustee of Cleveland State University, Case Western Reserve University, and the Cleveland Natural History Museum; a member of the Baldwin-Wallace College Council of Cleveland Business and Industrial Leaders, the Carnegie-Mellon University Mechanical Engineering Visiting Committee, the Advisory Board of Deaconess Hospital, and the Cleveland Federal Executive Board.

Silverstein married Marion Crotser in 1950. They had three children: Joseph, Judith and David. Marion died in 1998.

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for the Cleveland Council on Soviet Anti-Semitism

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for Beth Israel-West Temple

click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History for the Cleveland Jetport

Scope and Content

The Abe Silverstein Papers, 1929-2000 and undated, consist of awards and honors, biographies, correspondence, papers and reports, press articles, talks and addresses, personal material, and books. Of particular interest are talks containing reminiscences of Dr. Silverstein's involvement in decisions that shaped early space programs.

This collection is of value to researchers with a special interest in American aeronautic and space programs, technology development, and the growth of NASA in northeastern Ohio. Containers 2, 3, 4, and 5 contain publications of NASA and others related to aeronautics and the space programs. Many contain references to Silverstein and to his professional achievements. Container 6, an oversize container, includes a reel-to-reel audio tape of dinner in honor of Dr. Silverstein, dated December 11, 1969.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4985 Abe Silverstein Papers, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Gift of David Silverstein in 2007.

Processing Information

Processed by Louis Rosenblum in 2007.

Detailed Description of The Collection