Hubbry Logo
Discover Hubs
Create HubSign in
search buttonadd
Sign in
Jack Parsons
Jack Parsons
Comunity Hub
IntroIntro
WikipediaWikipedia
MediaMedia
arrow-down
TimelinesTimelines
arrow-down
ChronicleChronicle
arrow-down
ArticlesArticles
TalksTalks
addSign in
add
Sign in

Themed Timelines

Death and Legacy (1952)Death and Legacy (1952)Early Life and Education (1914-1934)Early Life and Education (1914-1934)Thelema and Occultism (1939-1952)Thelema and Occultism (1939-1952)Main milestonesMain milestonesRelationships and Personal LifeRelationships and Personal LifePost-JPL Career and Legal Troubles (1947-1952)Post-JPL Career and Legal Troubles (1947-1952)Rocketry and JPL (1934-1946)Rocketry and JPL (1934-1946)
Talks
General forumGeneral forum
General chatGeneral chat

Media Collections

Jack Parsons - American rocket engineer (1914–1952)

Main images

03.04.25
Show all
icon

Overview

John Whiteside Parsons, born Marvel Whiteside Parsons, led a life as fascinating as it was tragic. A self-taught rocket engineer and chemist, he played a pivotal role in the early development of American rocketry and jet propulsion, contributing significantly to the founding of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Simultaneously, Parsons pursued a fervent interest in occultism, particularly the teachings of Aleister Crowley's Thelema, which heavily influenced his personal philosophy and lifestyle. His story is a unique blend of scientific innovation, countercultural rebellion, and the relentless pursuit of personal and spiritual liberation, culminating in a mysterious and untimely death.
Main Milestones
Birth in Los Angeles
October 2, 1914
Marvel Whiteside Parsons is born in Los Angeles, California, to Marvel Parsons and Ruth Whiteside. His early life was marked by a privileged upbringing that was later strained due to his parents' separation. He displays an early fascination with science fiction, which fuels his dreams of space travel and exploration.
Independent Rocketry Experiments
Early 1930s
Driven by his passion for rocketry and largely self-taught, Parsons, along with his friends Ed Forman and Frank Malina, begins conducting amateur rocket experiments in the Arroyo Seco, a dry riverbed near Pasadena. These experiments, often dangerous and fueled by enthusiasm more than formal knowledge, laid the groundwork for future successes and attracted the attention of academic institutions.
Formation of the GALCIT Rocket Research Group
1936
Parsons, Malina, Forman, and other enthusiasts, including grad students at Caltech, formalize their rocketry efforts by forming the Guggenheim Aeronautical Laboratory, California Institute of Technology (GALCIT) Rocket Research Group. This group's early work focused on solid rocket propellants and contributed significantly to the development of jet-assisted take-off (JATO) technology for aircraft.
Founding of Aerojet
1939
Facing challenges in securing funding within Caltech, Parsons, along with Malina, Forman, and lawyer Martin Summerfield, co-founds Aerojet Engineering Corporation, a company dedicated to the commercial development of rocket technology. This marks a significant step in the transition from amateur experimentation to professional aerospace engineering.
Involvement with Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO)
1941
Parsons becomes deeply involved in the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO), a Thelemic magical organization founded by Aleister Crowley. He becomes the head of the Agape Lodge, the OTO branch in California, and embraces Crowley's philosophy of "Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law." This intersection of science and occultism becomes a defining characteristic of Parsons' life.
Contributions to WWII Effort
1942-1945
During World War II, Aerojet contributes significantly to the war effort through the development and production of JATO units. Parsons' expertise in solid rocket propellants proves crucial, and Aerojet becomes a major defense contractor. He is celebrated for his contributions to the allied war effort.
Security Concerns and Career Decline
1947-1949
Due to his increasingly eccentric behavior, association with controversial figures like Hubbard, and involvement in occult practices, Parsons comes under scrutiny by the FBI and faces security concerns. He is denied security clearance, effectively ending his involvement in the aerospace industry and forcing him to seek other means of employment.
Death by Explosion
June 17, 1952
At the age of 37, Parsons dies in an explosion in his home laboratory in Pasadena. The official cause of death is ruled accidental; however, speculation about foul play or suicide persists due to the mysterious circumstances and Parsons' tumultuous personal and professional life. He was working on converting chemicals to gold in his home lab.

Other Themed Timelines

Death and Legacy (1952)Death and Legacy (1952)Early Life and Education (1914-1934)Early Life and Education (1914-1934)Post-JPL Career and Legal Troubles (1947-1952)Post-JPL Career and Legal Troubles (1947-1952)Relationships and Personal LifeRelationships and Personal LifeRocketry and JPL (1934-1946)Rocketry and JPL (1934-1946)Thelema and Occultism (1939-1952)Thelema and Occultism (1939-1952)