Rocket PoweR, InteRstellaR tRavel and eteRnal lIfe

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G – edge - view – of –blade H – metal – brush – not shown I – positive terminal J – negative terminal –grounded to frame Dynamo – and –magnetic – lines not shown Remarks Our – present – model – is made of wood and necessary – metal parts –was made thirty – odd - years – ago- and – tested- to a certain – point –and – laid – aside –until now. In August 1966 Hungerford wrote that in 1965 [sic], he had asked the National Air and Space Administration for a $250,000 check to help develop the concept of “electro-magnetic space drive”. It “took 4 months to reply in the negative.” 208 Apparently, a letter from Edward R. Redding at N.A.S.A. in December 1964 had been encouraging. Hungerford replied that, “We can get some where with this thing now.” Hungerford continued with some history of his space drive development Some 30 years ago my brother Floyd and I built a working model of our idea of an electro-magnetic space drive. We didn’t develop drive but did develop terrible agitation [of?[ the whole machine when we electrified our coils. We dropped the project until. . . .] There was no atomic [sic] engine of necessity for our project. We cant. . . 209 Hungerford concluded his letter to Redding by noting his need for ten to twelve thousand dollars “and more as the work progresses.” He asked about “protec- Figure 27. Daniel Hungerford’s drawing of the “electro-magnetic space drive” dates from September 27, 1966 and witnessed by John L. Sherman. The Hungerfords “conception” on the drawing is dated as June 1, 1934. 54 Daniel and Floyd Hungerford: Rocket Power, Interstellar Travel and Eternal Life, by Geofrey N. Stein
tion” since he had no patents. And he finished by stating, “We have always paid our way, Mr. Redding-. Have never asked our government for help before and have never been offered any.” In September 1966 Hungerford telephoned the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation at Bethpage to promote his electro-magnetic space drive. Mellor A. Gill, a patent counsel, in a follow-up letter advised Hungerford that Grumman would be willing to consider your idea if submitted on a non-confidential basis in which you rely upon the patent rights you now have or may hereafter acquire. If this is agreeable with you, it is suggested that you submit sketches and descriptive material sufficient to enable our engineers to comprehend fully the construction and operation of your device. After receipt and evaluation of same, we will then advise you as to whether or not Grumman is interested in undertaking the development...or acquiring any rights with respect thereto. 210 Then, having been rejected by Grumman, Hungerford turned to Keith C. Richardson, “chief electronics engineer” at the Conelectrics, Inc. facility in Southport. In a letter, Hungerford noted refusal of funding by N.A.S.A. and mentioned Amtorge Exporting Corporation in New York City but “that would have to be a despert [sic] move on our part.” He concluded his letter by noting the importance of H. Steven Sekella to the Hungerford enterprise since he was crippled with osteomyelitis (a bacterial or fungi bone infection). Unfortunately, Sekella was stationed by the military in Germany. 211 In another letter he observed that his contact with Amtorge potentially would “send me to Russia.” 212 In August 1966, Hungerford wrote to his friends Erwin D. and Helen French, Floyd S. & I intended to be the first men on the moon – and may be yet. N.A.S.A. rocket is hellish. Blasting a capsel [sic] with a baby rocket will require the astronauts to eject and soft land by a stream of fire (rocket) on the moon – carrying enough fuel to blast off climb up to and orbit fast enough and reenter the parent capsal [sic] and return to earth. (We don’t say it can’t be done) but will take some doing. Where as with our electromagnetic space drive – you simply haul your space ship out of the hanger-take off easy (no Cape Kennedy) climb up to the top of the atmosphere – cut in your electro-mag. Stop in space –Hover if you wish –go on – ease your ship on to the moon or move to any point on the moon – Even on the back side which we’ve never seen – even the photos of the back side reveal nothing to my satisfaction. There can be air and water there. We proved with our Electro models this is true for any [?] thing of a liquid nature – Even dust. . . ? . . . to centrifugal force to support the moon at a quarter of a million miles the earth has to back off 1000 miles. The latters Polar axis enscribes [?] years. Our year is 12 months with varying number of days. 213 In October 1966 Hungerford wrote to Sekella that he had located the parts of the electro-magnetic space drive machine but because of his physical problems he could do nothing with them. In the future, Hungerford and Sekella would pursue the development of the space drive together. In the event of success, Steve it will be a terrible blow to the rocket business – we would back the machine out of the Hanger – climb up to the top of the atmosphere –start the dynamo –cut in the magnets – hover in space –stop –land on the moon on magnet Power – Hop from place - to place. We’ll be using an atomic engine – go on to Mars & etc. & etc. 214 Also in 1966 Hungerford wrote to Mechanics Illustrated magazine offering to sell the story of Floyd’s and his electro-magnetic space drive “for space vehicles – as opposed to rockets – our machine was to be powered with an atomic engine –none in existence at that time.” He concluded his letter by noting, “I can’t sell the story for $5.00 [$5,000?] – make me an offer. Its [sic] got to be good [great?].” 215 In January 1967 Hungerford wrote to Sekella that the electro-magnetic space drive still “needs lots of development – We’ll discuss the future of same when you get home” from Europe. In the meantime Hungerford said he was “working on a machine of a different nature – that may have some promise – something we (I) can do here in my two little rooms—.” 216 While in Germany Sekella wrote a series of letters to Hungerford. In one he wrote that if he were able to get back to Elmira in the next summer he hoped “we can get a lot done. I only wish I was back there now working for you, I really enjoyed the times we were together there.” 217 On September 30, 1964 Sekella wrote asking, “Has Pete [Oakley] kept in touch with you? Is there any news on our project.” On December 7, 1964 Sekella wrote in part to ask, “Is there any news on our venture. Have you located the model or drawn up any plans?” And in an undated letter, probably from early 1965, Sekella wrote, “I hear you found the model, [sic] this is good news. I wish I were back working around your place.” Meanwhile, it seems that Hungerford had little contact with Oakley. Sekella, too, had little news of Chapter Seven: To the Stars by “Electronic-Magnetic Space Drive” 55
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Daniel and Floyd Hungerford: Rocket
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Page 7 and 8:
CONTENTS Forward . . . . . . . . .
Page 9 and 10:
FORWARD At the New York State Museu
Page 11 and 12:
Chapter One EARLY YEARS In the late
Page 13 and 14: secretary-treasurer, was president.
Page 15 and 16: 7 Keith Marvin, “The Wizards of W
Page 17 and 18: Chapter Two THE AVIATION BUSINESS
Page 19 and 20: Figure 6. Rebuilt as a biplane, thi
Page 21 and 22: Figure 8. The Elmira Airplane Corpo
Page 23 and 24: 35 Hungerford in a letter to Keith
Page 25 and 26: Chapter Three FAMILY On August 7, 1
Page 27 and 28: instructor with whom Dan was ‘kee
Page 29 and 30: 68 Keith Marvin to Geoffrey N. Stei
Page 31 and 32: Chapter Four THE HUNGERFORD ROCKET
Page 33 and 34: igged this Pump for you - we have d
Page 35 and 36: Figure 14. Daniel Hungerford posed
Page 37 and 38: Figure 16. Photograph of the rocket
Page 39 and 40: Figure 17. Following a period of mi
Page 41 and 42: 80 The Sunday Telegram, September 8
Page 43 and 44: Chapter Five POLITICS For a man who
Page 45 and 46: very Element Essential to the Ends
Page 47 and 48: times. 162 In 2000, Thomas J. Carpe
Page 49 and 50: 149 Elmira Advertiser, November 10,
Page 51 and 52: Chapter Six HUNGERFORD INVENTIONS O
Page 53 and 54: camshaft, no valves, and no connect
Page 55 and 56: AUTOMOTIVE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PE
Page 57 and 58: I just dreamed - sitting here - a m
Page 59 and 60: Chapter Seven TO THE STARS BY “EL
Page 61 and 62: developing an Electro-Magnetic driv
Page 63: Figure 26. This stationary used by
Page 67 and 68: These are questions in the writer
Page 69 and 70: Chapter Eight THE FINAL YEARS In 19
Page 71 and 72: Figures 28. A photograph of the roc
Page 73 and 74: A mother on nearby Edgewood Drive t
Page 75 and 76: exclusive property of the City of E
Page 77 and 78: delivered food to the East Third St
Page 79 and 80: Figure 32. In 2005 H. Steven Sekell
Page 81 and 82: ets etc. and other areas of aeronau
Page 83 and 84: It was sad to see him lose his home
Page 85 and 86: 289 Woodlawn Cemetery records, Elmi
Page 87 and 88: SECONDARY BIBLIOGRAPHIC NOTES (Orig
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Rocket PoweR, InteRstellaR tRavel and eteRnal lIfe

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