Adolf Busemann, 85; Swept-Wing Developer
- Share via
BOULDER, Colo. — Adolf Busemann, who developed the swept-wing design that made supersonic aircraft possible, has died. He was 85 and died Monday at a health care center here.
Born in Germany, Busemann first presented his development at the Volta Congress in Rome in 1935. He carried on his research in the United States after World War II.
The swept-wing design was used in the U.S. F-86 and Soviet MIG-15 jet fighters in the Korean War.
Busemann helped design many aircraft for the forerunner of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration before retiring from government work in 1970.
He became a professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado in 1963 and his wind-tunnel research there led him to advise NASA on the use of ceramic tiles, which could withstand high temperatures better than aluminum, on the space shuttle.
Inside the business of entertainment
The Wide Shot brings you news, analysis and insights on everything from streaming wars to production — and what it all means for the future.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
