Storage and Release, 1915-1987

The Lockheed Martin Aeronautical Patent Collection documents innovations in aviation from the mid-19th century through most of the 20th century. These patents pertain to everything from dirigibles and gliders to modern day jet engines and in-flight refueling methods. Researchers who utilize these records can learn much about aviation before the first sustained and controlled heavier-than-air flight and its advancements since. The collection is arranged into series based on the original classification system for aeronautical patents by the United States Patent and Trademark Office. Each patent is of the 244 class of aeronautics and astronautics and each series is arranged according to the subcategory of this class. Within each subcategory, the files are arranged according to patent number with the folder indicating the patent number range.

Series I, Miscellaneous, consist of patents pertaining to trailing devices, noise abatement techniques, lightening arrester and static eliminators, as well as, composite aircraft.

Series II, Aircraft, Heavier-than-Air, contains patents that address weight diminished aircraft, fluid sustained airplanes and helicopters, and dual propulsion means (horizontal and vertical).

Series III, Aircraft, Lighter-than-Air, houses patents on dirigibles, airships, and hot-air balloons designs. Series IV, Aircraft Sustentation, includes patents referring to sustaining airfoils. It also addresses unique designs for fuselages and struts.

Series V, Aircraft Propulsion and Steering on Land or Water, is the largest series and houses patents on everything from aircraft control and aircraft power plants, to steerable jets and floatation devices for planes.

Series VI, Landing Gear, relates to different patents on the design and function of landing gears for aircraft. Amphibian, retractable, coil spring, fluid pressure, and even inflatable landing gears are all devised in this series.

Series VII, Retarding and Restraining Devices, contains patents relating to wheel brake arrangement, water brake arrangement, and aerodynamic retarders.

Series VIII, Landing Field Arrangement, consists of patents on mooring devices and blast deflectors for aircraft landing fields.

Series IV, Aircraft Structure, includes patents that address fuselage and body designs for cargo accommodation, seating arrangement for crews, and also shield and other protective devices. Patents relating to aerodynamic resistance reduction as well as airship hull and skin construction are also found in this series.

Series X, Safety Lowering Devices, consists of patents relating to safely lowering an aircraft to the ground in the case of an emergency. Parachutes for entire planes and passenger compartments, as well as, safety devices for seats and crew are accommodated in this series. Some patents on kites are also found in this series.