John L. Jordan Papers
Collection Summary
| Title: | John L. Jordan Papers |
| Call Number: | MS 2002-06 |
| Size: | 2.0 linear feet |
| Acquisition: | Purchased from Carmen D. Valentino |
| Processed By: | VN, 12-18-2001; MN, 11-2012 |
| Restrictions: | None |
Literary Rights
Literary rights were not granted to Wichita State University. When permission is granted to examine the manuscripts, it is not an authorization to publish them. Manuscripts cannot be used for publication without regard for common law literary rights, copyright laws and the laws of libel. It is the responsibility of the researcher and his/her publisher to obtain permission to publish. Scholars and students who eventually plan to have their work published are urged to make inquiry regarding overall restrictions on publication before initial research.
Content Note
This collection contains business and personal correspondences
dating from 1938 to 1955, addressed to John L. Jordan, President of the
American Dirigible Company of New York City. The correspondence relates
to Jordan’s relentless efforts to obtain funding for his dirigible
projects and were written by him and potential investors, lawyers, engineers,
politicians, and the United States Army and Navy officials. The correspondences
are well in excess of 200 letters with a large group of related documents,
blueprints, descriptive reports from Jordan’s crew of airship engineers
and experts, test results, flight predictions, and cost studies. Other correspondences
document his early career with McKim, Mead & White, an architectural
firm in New York.
Biography
John L. Jordan was born May 17, 1874, to John and
Rose Jordan in New York City, New York. He received his education from the
public school of New York City, Columbia Institute, The Trade School of
Mechanics, and The Traders Institute. On November 29, 1899 Jordan married
Isabelle M. Murray. John L. Jordan worked for 15 years in the general contracting
business with his father. Upon his father's retirement in August 1905, Jordan
succeeded him to run the entire business..
From 1936 to 1938 Jordan worked for the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and Kim in New York City. In 1938 he resigned from the firm due to his wife's illness. From 1938 to his death in 1955, Jordan was President of the American Dirigible Company of New York. Jordan claimed that dirigibles could out perform previous Zeppelin-type airships and compete with airplanes and naval vessels. He attempted to attract the attention of the Army and Navy but was never successful.
From 1936 to 1938 Jordan worked for the renowned architectural firm McKim, Mead and Kim in New York City. In 1938 he resigned from the firm due to his wife's illness. From 1938 to his death in 1955, Jordan was President of the American Dirigible Company of New York. Jordan claimed that dirigibles could out perform previous Zeppelin-type airships and compete with airplanes and naval vessels. He attempted to attract the attention of the Army and Navy but was never successful.
Detailed Description: Series Listing
| Series 1 | Box 1 | John L. Jordan American Dirigible Company Documents. These files contain correspondence, reports, blueprints, and clippings regarding the American Dirigible Company while Jordan was President. Materials date between 1938 and 1955. |
| Series 2 | Box 2 | John L. Jordan Documents. The files in this series contain materials related to Jordan's earlier career and include correspondence, blueprints, and reports. The materials in this series are from the 1930s. |