Freeport: Home of the First Hypersonic Wind Tunnel
In 1954, the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn opened the Aerodynamics Laboratory at 527 Atlantic Avenue. This facility had two supersonic wind tunnels capable of creating wind speeds ten times the speed of sound and capable of simulating stratospheric condition 28 miles about the earth. The work done here played an important role in the development of ballistic missiles for the military and re-entry vehicles for NASA. The laboratory was headed by Antonio Ferri, a pioneer of supersonic testing.
In 1955, an explosion at the laboratory sent thousand of burning aluminum oxide pellets into the air causing $2,000 in damage mostly to parked cars and moored boats.
Aerodynamics Laboratory under construction
Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 1954
Sources:
"Antonio Ferri, Pioneer of Supersonic Testing." Newsday. 29 December 1975, p. 31.
"Blast in Wind Tunnel Showers White-Hot Pellets on Freeport." Newsday. 21 May 1955, p. 5.
"Brooklyn Polytechnic to Dedicate Building at Freeport on Saturday." The Leader. 6 May 1954, p. 1.
"LI Wind Tunnel to Test Stratosphere Speeds." Newsday. 24 December 1952, p. 7.
"Polytechnic Institute Open Laboratory in Freeport." Freeport [Village Newsletter]. January 1954, p. 1.
Vincente, F.A. and Nancy S. Foy. Hypersonic Wind Tunnel Facilities in the United States. Aerospace Corporation, El Segundo, CA: March 1963.
"World's Fastest Wind to Blow in Freeport." Newsday. 3 May 1954, p. 27.
