The Harlan D. Fowler Papers (1920-1980) document the career of Harlan D. Fowler, inventor and aviation engineer. Fowler is recognized for inventing the Fowler flap, a variable area wing high-lift device for aircraft still used on most commercial airplanes today. The collection consists of his professional papers including technical reports, blueprints, original data, technical publications, drawings, and photographs, as well as airplane models relating primarily to the Fowler flap and the Fowler-designed air cargo container. This collection documents the history of technology, the history of aviation, and the development of the aircraft industry during World War II. The collection is arranged into nine series: Series I. Commercial Uses of Fowler Designs; Series II. Fowler-Designed Aerodynamic Flow Control Devices; Series III. Original Fowler Aircraft Designs and Data; Series IV. Air Cargo Reports and Data; Series V. Miscellaneous Reports; Series VI. Aircraft Conversion Reports and Data; Series VII. Aircraft Models; Series VIII. Publications; and Series IV. Additional Images.

Born June 18, 1895, Harlan Davey Fowler grew up in Sacramento, California. Fowler married twice and had two children. He spent his professional life as an aeronautical engineer and inventor. He died on April 27, 1982.

7 file boxes, 6 tube boxes, 2 flat file drawers, 4 custom boxes (27.5 linear feet)

Copyright is assigned to the San José State University Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Special Collections & Archives. Copyright restrictions may apply to digital reproductions of the original materials. Use of digital files is restricted to research and educational purposes.