William B. Johnson Papers
Collection
Identifier: Mss-0254
The papers include correspondence, clippings, patents, drawings, sketches, photographs, and cyanotypes documenting the military career of William B. Johnson.
The papers date from 1911-1951 with one news-clipping from 1977. The correspondence files date from 1917-1942, the news-clippings from 1942-1977, and the patents from 1942-1951. The oversize blueprints, drawings, and sketches are from the 1940's. The cyanotypes date from 1911-1932. The photographs series has many undated photos, but the few that are dated appear to be from the early-to-mid 1940's.
The correspondence files include orders that were sent from superior officers with various government departments to William B. Johnson while he was on active duty. These files reflect a general sense of everyday military life. The news-clippings focus on William B. Johnson's achievements and inventions. One file entitled "Legion of Merit" documents the occasion on which Johnson received this award.
The patents files include Johnson's inventions that benefited both the military and civilian sectors. Included are "Ambulance Steps," "Military Vehicle Bodies," "Vehicle Headlamp Units," "Rifle Brackets and Racks," "Toolboxes," and "Folding Bicycle Pedals," among many additional illustrations. These files also contain correspondences that document occasional deals with companies interested in William B. Johnson's patents. Of additional interest here is the five-gallon gasoline container that Johnson invented. These are the familiar five-gallon cans that would be used by the military for many years. Included is a paper entitled "A History of Small Gasoline Containers In the U.S. Army" [circa early 1940's-unknown author] which details the early problems that the military faced while trying to adequately supply its forces with fuel within theaters of conflict. William B. Johnson's five-gallon gasoline cans were a welcome solution to the hardships of trying to keep supply lines moving at critical moments.
The cyanotype files depict photographs of various experimental/prototype vehicles that Johnson was involved in developing while stationed at the Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.
The oversize folder contains blueprints, drawings, and hand-sketches of Johnson's patents such as "Pintles," "Folding Bicycle Pedal," and the "Trailer Dolly."
The photographs series depicts a sample of several locales, events, and Johnson himself. There are patents-related depictions, such as black and white photos of the "Gas Nozzle," "Trailer Dolly," and "Military Vehicle Bodies." A few photographs illustrate Johnson while testing the now famous "Jeep" prototype, which he helped to design. In addition, several black and white photographs depict William B. Johnson receiving the "Legion of Merit" award in October 1945. Finally, there are eight black and white portraits of Johnson in uniform.
Although Johnson was a member of the design team that created the "Jeep," there is nothing in the collection, aside from the clippings and photographs that document his role in that project.
William B. Johnson was born on December 28, 1895 in Easley, South Carolina, the son of Pinckney Camp and Lillie Mae Johnson. He was one of three children: Wayne and Winnie Johnson being his siblings. William B. Johnson attended Clemson College, where he majored in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Upon graduation in 1917, he entered what would prove to be a productive military career.
Johnson's long career began in Oglethorpe, Georgia, where he trained at the 1st Officer Training School. In August 1917, Johnson received his commission as 2nd Lieutenant. Promotion to 1st Lieutenant came in February 1918, followed by a rise to captain in July 1918. Johnson then went on to serve with the Quartermaster Corps Ordnance Department and General Staff. He served four years during and after World War I in Europe, four years in Boston, Massachusetts, fourteen years in Baltimore, Maryland, and four years in Washington, D.C. Johnson was commissioned a Major in 1936 and as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1940. In 1942 he was promoted to Colonel. Johnson received the Legion of Merit award in 1945.
After serving twenty-nine years, Johnson returned to Easley. While in retirement, he became involved in real estate, construction, and farm operation. Johnson served the local community for ten years as director of the Easley Chamber of Commerce. While there he served one year as President, and two years as Vice-President. In addition, Johnson served as President of the Dixie Farmers Cooperative Association for ten years. He died on March 16, 1971 and is buried in Easley, South Carolina.
1.05 Cubic Feet (consisting of 64 folders; 1 oversized folder containing 29 blueprints, certificates, drawings, and sketches; 27 photographs.)
English
William B. Johnson, career military man and Clemson alumnus, used expertise and knowledge gained while a cadet in Clemson College's school of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering to become an inventor and vehicle design team specialist while in the Army.
By series.
Received from Mrs. Sara Tollison in 1989, accession number 89-193.
Processed by Carl Redd between 2003 and 2004.
The conversion of this finding aid to Encoded Archival Description format was made possible with a grant from the South Carolina State Historical Records Advisory Board in 2009-2010. The finding aid was prepared for encoding by Kristi Roberts.
Part of the Clemson University Libraries Special Collections and Archives Repository