Dr. Theodore von Kármán’s vision continues to be realized at AEDC

Dr. Theodore von Kármán, left, is joined by Air Force and NASA officials while inspecting two of the models used in the high velocity, high altitude wind tunnels at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn. Von Kármán was able to get an up-close look at the models during the Oct. 30, 1959, dedication of the Gas Dynamics Facility at Arnold AFB in his honor. The site, now the headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, is the result of recommendations von Kármán made in 1945 to the late Gen. Hap Arnold, then-commander of the American Air Forces. Pictured with von Kármán are, from left, then-Lt. Gen. Bernard A. Schriever, then-commander of the Air Research and Development Command; Dr. Hugh Dryden, then-deputy administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Dr. J.V. Charyk, then-assistant secretary of the Air Force for research and development; and then-Maj. Gen. Troup Miller Jr., then-commander of the AEDC. (U.S. Air Force photo)