Altitude chamber with a Liberty airplane engine
-from NIST Photographic Collection, Airplane Research, World War I
Test plant for airplane and other carburetors
-from NIST Photographic Collection, Airplane Research, World War I
The Bureau of Standards recognized the airplane's potential to decide World War One's outcome, and aeronautic research became a major concern. Bureau scientists constructed an altitude chamber in which to test airplane engines under realistic conditions of air pressure and temperature. Tests were made on the full range of aeronautic instruments, becoming the technical basis for Army and Navy specifications. Bureau staff also made studies of materials used in airplane construction and studies of aviation fuels, carburetors, radiators, ignition systems, and lubricating oils.
