Calspan: 75 Years of Testing the Future

75 YEARS OF TESTING THE FUTURE | BY LOUIS KNOTTS A celebration of the talented men and women of Calspan, who have worked for three-quarters of a century to ensure a safer and better world. Their persistent efforts and unprecedented achievements in testing the possibilities and limits of technology has transformed how we live today – and how we will live tomorrow. This book captures the extraordinary breadth and essence of this Buffalo, New York-based organization by examining a sampling of important and interesting projects that have originated here during the past eight decades. The ‘Cal’ comes from its predecessor, the Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, or ‘C.A.L.’ The ‘span’ indicates that its areas of focus had moved beyond that of aeronautical research. Calspan has played a role in automotive safety testing, guided missile design, air defense command and control, sensor design, cognitive research, environment research, radar development, and many, many more. At its formation, it was called ‘an experiment in research.’ Today, it remains a vital partner in the global technological community, helping to guide our world into the future.