Mechanic's notebook, 1915

The Anderson Aeronautical Historical collection consists of materials related to aeronautics acquired by Anderson in the course of his life. The collection contains printed materials, such as pilot manuals, mechanic notes, research reports, commercial brochures and other matter. In addition, the collection contains photos, postcards, scrapbooks, unassembled models, and two films.

The main focus of the collection is on European areonautics with British flight the main focus within that, although aeronautics within the United States is also well represented. Materials related to the two World Wars and passenger flight are also represented. The dates for the collection range from 1784 to 1988 with the bulk of the material covering the years 1900 to 1960. The collection consists of 67 boxes and one map drawer of oversize.

Significant or unusual items include a 1784 pronouncement by the Parisian police ballooning over Paris and the photographs and printed materials related to the early days of heavier-than-air flight prior to 1918.

The strengths of the collection include a focus on the early days of flight including lighter-than-aircraft and the advent of airplanes. There are numerous photos and printed materials prior to 1918. The focus of the collection is primarily on aeronautical developments in Great Britain, the United States, and to a lesser extent Europe in general. Developments in Africa, Asia, Australia and South America are not well documented.