Spencer, Alex
Curator
0000-0002-2638-2591
Spencer, Alex
Curator
European, British and Commonwealth military aviation, military flight clothing and memorabilia.
Positions
- Curator, National Air & Space Museum 1990 -
Background And Education
Education And Training
- B.A., Pennsylvania State University
- M.A., Pennsylvania State University
- Ph.D., Auburn University
Research And Grants
Investigator On
Publications
Selected Publications
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Article
- Madden, Odile, Gordon, Gary, Cobb, Kim Cullen, and Spencer, Alex M. 2014. "Depth profiling laminated glass with a fiber optic probe customized for adjustable working distance." Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 45, (11/12) 1318–1321. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4550. 2014
- Madden, Odile, Cobb, Kim Cullen, and Spencer, Alex M. 2014. "Raman spectroscopic characterization of laminated glass and transparent sheet plastics to amplify a history of early aviation "glass"." Journal of Raman Spectroscopy, 45, (11-12) 1215–1224. https://doi.org/10.1002/jrs.4618. 2014
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Blog Posting
- Spencer, Alex M. 2018. "Jimmy Doolittle's Medal of Honor." National Air and Space Museum Stories Washington, DC: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. https://airandspace.si.edu/stories/editorial/curator-configuring-wwii-military-medals. 2018
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Book
- Spencer, Alex M. 2020. British Imperial Air Power: the Royal Air Forces and Defense of Australia and New Zealand between the Wars. West Lafayette, Indiana: Purdue University Press. In Purdue Studies in Aeronautics and Astronautics. 2020
- Van der Linden, F. Robert, Spencer, Alex M., and Paone, Thomas J. 2016. Milestones of Flight: The Epic of Aviation with the National Air and Space Museum. Zenith Press. 2016
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Chapter
- Spencer, Alex M. 2015. "Escape Map (Double-sided): C-52 Japan and South China Seas and C-53 East China Seas." In Tools: Extending Our Reach. McCarty, Cara and McQuaid, Matilda, editors. 148–149. New York: Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum. 2015
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Review
- Spencer, Alex M. 2013. [Book review] "Military Aviation in Ireland, 1921-1945." Irish Economic and Social History, XL, 196–197. 2013
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Thesis
- Spencer, Alex M. 2008. "A Third Option: Imperial Air Defense and the Pacific Dominions, 1918-1939." Ph.D., Auburn University. 2008
Editor Of
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Book
- Spencer, Alex M., editor. 2024. A Wartime Necessity: The NACA and Other National Research Organizations Efforts at Innovation during World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: NASA. 2024
- Neufeld, Michael J. and Spencer, Alex M., editors. 2010. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum: An Autobiography. Washington, D.C.: National Geographic. 2010
Presentations
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Exhibit
- Spencer, Alex M (Curator). 2016. "Milestones of Flight Gallery." Washington, DC: Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, 2016 to present..
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Presentation
- Spencer, Alex M. 2024. Curator [presentation]. First Meeting of the ICOMOS Aerospace Heritage Council, May 28, 2024. Paris, France: ICOMOS Aerospace Heritage Council.
- Spencer, Alex M. 2016. Empire Air Training Scheme [presentation]. Commonwealth Air Dinner, 2016.
- Spencer, Alex M. 2017. Operation Chastise: the Dambusters Raid [presentation]. Commonwealth Air Dinner, Washington, DC.
Affiliation
Member Of
- Royal Historical Society Fellow 2023 -
Contact
Location
- National Air & Space Museum Academic Department
