Ms. Lois Lovisolo of Grumman Aerospace Company Historian

In October of 1957, the successful launch of Russia's Sputnik shocked the nation and invigorated America's aircraft companies.  After a number of Soviet 'firsts' in space, President John Kennedy upped the stakes by promising we would put a man on the moon and return him safely to Earth before the end of the decade.  Grumman bid on, and lost, several of the ensuing competitions for Apollo hardware.  But in l962, the lunar excursion module was awarded to Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation - the last major contract to be awarded by NASA.  This is the story of the background, building and success of Grumman's engineering.  In regard to Grumman's Lunar Module achievements, aircraft historian Rene Francillion stated that "the Grummanites’ greatest technological and human achievement, will undoubtedly be remembered by the public long after Wildcats, Avengers, Hellcats, Panthers, and Tomcats have been forgotten by all but aviation enthusiasts." Ms. Lovisolo will discuss the design and manufacture of the Grumman Lunar Module and the successful story of Grumman’s role in NASA’s Apollo Program to successfully land men on the moon.

Biography:

Lois Lovisolo was employed by Grumman from 1978 to 1994, serving as assistant to the historian and then as Corporate Historian starting in 1985. During that time, she learned about the history of Grumman aircraft from the beginning of the company in 1929 to its acquisition by Northrop in 1994.   After leaving Grumman, she became a librarian.  She joined the Bethpage Public Library in 1995 as Head of Reference, and was the library’s Director from 2004 to 2017, when she retired.  Lois has a B.A. from the University of Detroit, an M.B.A. from Adelphi University, and an M.L.S. from C. W. Post.