Wernher von Braun – handwritten note on "Wankel" engine

Wernher von Braun – Handwritten Note on Automobile Engineering (8x10, may 1965)

Presented here is an exceptional handwritten note by Wernher von Braun, penned on an 8x10" letterhead from Transcontinental Motors, a company that had written to him regarding his interest in one of their automobiles. Rather than replying formally, von Braun forwarded the correspondence to his longtime secretary, Ruth, adding his distinctive initial “B” and a candid personal observation:

“That Wankel engine looks for me like a real step ahead in automobile engines.”

This remark offers a rare glimpse into von Braun’s curiosity beyond rocketry and space exploration. Known as the chief architect of the Saturn V rocket and the driving force behind NASA’s Apollo program, von Braun’s fascination with advanced technology extended into fields such as aviation, energy, and, in this case, automotive engineering. His handwritten endorsement of the innovative Wankel rotary engine—a revolutionary design of the 1960s celebrated for its compactness and smooth performance—illustrates his appreciation for bold engineering breakthroughs in any discipline.

The piece is not only a genuine example of von Braun’s handwritten notes and initials, but also a window into the mindset of a man who consistently sought innovation and progress. Artifacts reflecting his personal interests outside of spaceflight are exceedingly scarce, making this document a remarkable crossover item that appeals to collectors of space history, automotive history, and 20th-century innovation alike.