HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF THE UPPER MOJAVE DESERT

Vol. 14 No. 9
November 16, 1999

AUTHOR OF NEW SIDEWINDER BOOK TO SPEAK NOV. 16

This month's meeting is special in several ways. Not only is our speaker,
Dr. Ron Westrum, coming all the way from southern Michigan to speak with
us, but his talk is also being sponsored by two other local organizations -
and the program is starting half an hour earlier than usual.

Westrum, author of "Sidewinder: Creative Missile Design at China Lake,"
will speak in Council Chambers at Ridgecrest City Hall at 7 p.m., Tuesday,
Nov. 16. Co-sponsoring his appearance here are the China Lake Museum
Foundation and the High Desert Engineering Association (hIDEA).

We expect the talk to be well-attended, so you might want to get there
early to ensure yourself a good seat. So popular is Westrum's new book here
that the Internet book selling giant, amazon.com, lists his book as No. 1
among the nonfiction books Ridgecrest folks are purchasing from amazon
right now. (In case you're curious, Westrum's book beat out four books
about C++ programming, another programming book, two software manuals, and
Tom Clancy's guided tour of an aircraft carrier!) According to Westrum,
his book "tells the story of the Sidewinder missile and other outstanding
achievements of the China Lake Naval Weapons Center, and shows how the
organization created an organizational environment in which ideas came to
life." The book also explores the fascinating personalities and working
styles that made up what we now know as "the China Lake Way."

Westrum began thinking about the book in 1986 when a student urged him to
read an article on Sidewinder that appeared in the Wall Street Journal . "I
wrote letters to everyone mentioned in the article and soon made contact
with Dr. Howard Wilcox," he
recalled.

Wilcox, who had served as Sidewinder program manager after McLean became
head of China Lake's Aviation Ordnance Department, was also thinking about
documenting the invention of Sidewinder. When he heard from Westrum, he
immediately suggested writing a book together.

Although Westrum was then in the midst of completing another book,
"Technologies and Society," he agreed to start on the Sidewinder book.
"The decision to begin a new book while the other was still unfinished soon
caused a lot of grief when the publisher of the first book decided it
needed another draft," said Westrum. "Another draft was written, but at the
cost of progress on the Sidewinder book." When the two men began their
Sidewinder work, they estimated they would need to conduct 60 interviews.
By the time Westrum was finished, he had conducted more like 300.

As work on the first draft progressed, Wilcox and Westrum published an
article entitled "Sidewinder" in American Heritage of Invention and
Technology in 1989. That article was subsequently reprinted as one of the
magazine's 20 best articles in a collective volume entitled "Inventing
America."

At about that time, Westrum began a long-running consulting contract with
General Motors, work that interfered with progress on the Sidewinder
research. "I was also very unhappy with the lack of material I had to work
with in writing what was intended to be a definitive history," said
Westrum. He discovered too that he needed to do extensive research on
warfare and on the workings of the defense establishment in order to put
Sidewinder in perspective.

"By the time I was finished, I had at least 50 reference works which I had
to read and understand," Westrum said. He and Wilcox developed different
views on which direction the book should take, and eventually the two
decided to go their separate ways.

Originally the idea had been to document the invention and initial use of
Sidewinder - the period during which Wilcox worked on the program and the
period to be covered in Liz Babcock's forthcoming "Magnificent Mavericks,"
Vol. III of the history of the Naval Ordnance Test Station.

"Then I was contacted in the early '90s by personnel from later Sidewinder
programs, who also wanted me to include their story in the book," said
Westrum. "I consented to this even though it meant additional work."

Wilcox continued to encourage other early China Lakers to assist Westrum,
and now that the book is out, both widows - Evelyn Wilcox and LaV McLean -
have expressed their enthusiasm for it, as have Tom Amlie, Walt LaBerge,
and several others featured in the book.

The book ended up taking about 13 years of effort, during which time
Westrum spent about 10 of his vacations digging up source material here or
in Washington. The project became an obsession, one on which he estimates
that he expended well over $10,000 of his own money.

"A very big chunk of my life has gone into this work," said Westrum. "This
has been a labor of love for me, and I hope it will be well received."

Westrum holds a B.A. from Harvard, cum laude, in social relations. His M.A.
and his Ph.D., both in sociology, are from the University of Chicago.
Since 1972 he has taught at Eastern Michigan University, where he is a
professor of sociology and interdisciplinary technology.

Westrum is a recognized expert on organizational dynamics in the aviation
field and has an extensive background in consulting, journal editing, and
presenting conference papers. He is also the author of more than 30
articles in refereed journals and books. And not only is he an impressive
scholar, he's a fascinating person!

After the talk, Westrum will be available to sign copies of the book, which
will be on sale outside Council Chambers that evening. Our hospitality
coordinator, Charlotte Paulsen, is also lining up refreshments. We hope to
see you there!

A special note of thanks is in order for the Heritage Inn and Suites, which
has shown true community spirit by giving Westrum and his fiancee special
room rates, and Farris' at the Heritage, which is contributing a
complimentary breakfast. Liz Babcock

NOTES FROM THE PRESIDENT

In last month's newsletter I described a computer setup that could get us
on the path to digitizing our archives. Thanks to a most generous offer
from a member who recognizes the importance of having a readily accessible
data bank, a system is now close to becoming a reality.

On October 19 a letter of support was sent by your Directors to the
Inyokern Chamber of Commerce Beautification and Restoration Committee. The
letter commended their effort to "provide visible public evidence of
Inyokern's dedication to promoting the cultural history of our area."
Their original plans included obtaining and moving the railroad station
back to its original location. After a closer on-site inspection of the
structure and cost to complete the project, it was deemed economically not
feasible. So their next plan is to recreate a station-like building on the
site as a focal point for the park acreage. The project is receiving
favorable support from Supervisor Jon McQuiston.

Our Cookies and Conversation Booth at the Maturango Junction produced about
$400.00 of income. This of course would not have been possible without the
volunteer assistance of our members. Those who provided strong-back
service for the porch were: Josh Albertson, Bill Burns, Dick Moe, George
Silberberg, Bill Ward and Bruce Wertenberger. The porch conversationalists
were: Eunice Caffee, Hank Schuette and his sister, Mrs. Mildred Kohen.
The cookie sales force was overseen by Charlotte Paulsen.

A special thanks goes to Bruce Wertenberger who orchestrated the cookie
making effort which resulted in a delicious product. Lou
Pracchia

DECEMBER MEETING

Our Christmas meeting this year is scheduled for Friday, December 17, and
will be similar to those of the past several years. Details will be in the
December newsletter. Mark your calendars now and we hopefully will see
you that Friday evening at the Maturango Museum.

DUES DUE SOON

Our membership year is the same as the calendar year which means that soon
it will time to send in your renewal check. If you are so inclined to do
it now, send your check for $10 per family unit to our treasurer, Fred
Weals, 551 E. Dana, Ridgecrest, CA 93555 or bring it to our meeting on
November 16.

THANKS TO OCTOBER SPEAKERS

We wish to extend hearty thanks to Margaret "Lit" Brush, James Fairchild
and Arzell Hale for their informative talk on the Searles Valley at our
October meeting. They very nicely covered the industrial, community and
geological background of the area to an interested audience.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENTS NEEDED THIS MONTH

The last week of this month is the time we'll be making the vestibule of
the Maturango look especially festive by installing an exhibit featuring
special holiday ornaments from the United States, as well as from other
lands. What a great way to share your family's special tradition by showing
one or several of your own traditional ornaments! So far, here's what we
have: a set of traditional German tree ornaments from Eileen Dietz, a
candle-driven Swiss carousel from Pat and George Silberberg, and a special
Polish Christmas eagle from Jenny Miller, as well as some delightful
writeups about holiday customs in other lands that Jenny saved. (How did
she know we'd need those?)

Margaret and Wallace Martin plan to loan us several special ornaments from
the White House. And Goldie Jackson will be sharing some very beautiful
Christmas icicles. We'd like to display as wide a range of ornaments as
possible. For example, do you have a menorah? Anything signifying
winter-solstice holidays from other lands?

The display will last through the month of December and be taken down
sometime in early January.

If you have something you'd be willing to loan us, just call Liz Babcock at
375-7900, e-mail her at lizbab@ridgenet.net, or write her at 401 N. Warner,
Ridgecrest CA 93555. Liz Babcock

HISTORICAL WRITINGS

The following article is the first in series detailing the adventures of a
family traveling from Glendale, California, to settle in the Indian Wells
Valley in 1914, well before the advent of paved highways, air conditioning
in automobiles and all the things we take for granted today. It took them
seven days. We will tell you about the source of this document in a later
installment. Ed.

"In the month of June of 1914, with final packing completed and the last
items cared for, we locked the door of our Maple Street home in Glendale.
As we hitched the team to the sheltered wagon we made our farewells to
neighbors and relatives, among whom were the Frank Hesters, the Caruthers
and the Domlnys. Through the passing of time we were to know of their
neighborliness and generosity and thus sustaining many ties. The first
hour's travel brought us to the outskirts of Glendale on San Fernando Road
and lunch time by a shady irrigation ditch. The first night's camp was
made in the shelter of trees by a small stream in Newhall pass. What was
considered a day's travel in those days would just warm the engine of
today's traveler.

The second day began early with the arrival to the tunnel entrance at the
summit of the pass. We envisioned the military pack train of General
Fremont descending to the valley and whose entourage followed this trail
through the mountains. Even more of interest was the realization of this
being the beginning of the Overland Route from Los Angeles to Virginia
City, Nevada where Grandfather Foley maneuvered the great freight wagons of
the pioneer days. Two years before he had stood by with many celebrants to
witness the arrival of the first plunging waters of the Los Angeles
Aqueduct through the portal in Newhall Pass and Into the storage basin
below.

Through the experiences that were to lie ahead there would be need for
ingenuity and courage. Resourcefulness at this point of the journey was of
necessity for the team balked at the darkened tunnel. I cannot remember
what persuasive methods Dad used, but much was poised on that moment of
decision and the fate of us all depended upon the turn-of-mind of a burro.

The macadam road surface ended and the hundreds of miles of travel we were
to know in the ensuing years were over many surfaces of the earth from mire
to rock and sand and snow. Following the recommended route, which was that
of the early teamsters, brought us into the mountains and winding road
through San Francisquito Canyon. This was the shortest route to the desert
and an abundance of water provided for thirsty teams. Grand Dad's five
span of oxen must have reveled in the sparkling refreshment that in the
deepest crossings flowed up to their bellies. This was especially true, we
reasoned, as they returned from two weeks of desert travel of the northern
areas. Our first deep crossing was made with some anxiety as the little
team ventured out into the current and lowered the wagon bed to stream
level. The steady pull of strong legs passed the test for many more
crossings of which Mother counted nearly twenty. In this setting we made
our second camp and Dad was prepared in mind for the next day's travel
leading to higher areas with many hours of strenuous pulling.
By the following evening we were camping by the side of Elizabeth Lake
whose waters were high in those days. Dad's knowledge of camping always
provided conveniences at meal time each morning and evening with campfire
cooking. The burning of a campfire stirs any camper to pleasant memories
and one recalls the cheery light and the whetted appetites treated to camp
cookery. Today's modern rotisserie and barbecue grill would capture this
pleasure to serve
the most elegant guest.

Having received route information from the Mexican people at the
intersecting road, their home a landmark for many years, we traveled out
onto the rolling hills. The Mojave panorama lay before us toward which we
ventured leaving the stream, the woods and coastal breezes behind. To the
folks it must have been a challenging adventure into what seemed to be an
unknown land, the signs of habitation marked only by a winding road
disappearing quickly into the sagebrush. To the left lay the Tehachapi
mountains where in time gone by Grandfather had ranched and raised his
stock."
(To be continued)