Whoosh. Feel the wind. We stand before the Kirsten Wind Tunnel a marvel of engineering nestled on the University of Washington campus.
In 1934 Professor F K Kirsten dreamt of a wind tunnel. He secured funding from Washington State the Public Works Administration and Boeing. Construction began in 1936. It cost $124501. The building designed by Bebb and Gould became a reality.
The Kirsten Wind Tunnel is no ordinary wind tunnel. It’s a subsonic closed-circuit double return marvel. Its test section measures a generous 8 feet by 12 feet and is 10 feet long. Powerful propellers each a massive 14 feet 9 inches in diameter whip the air up to an impressive 200 mph.
This isn’t just a place for tests. It’s a place where undergraduate students gain valuable hands-on experience. They’re the crew running tests under the supervision of a staff engineer manager. The tunnel operates as an auxiliary enterprise for the University of Washington Aeronautical Lab UWAL.
The Kirsten Wind Tunnel boasts impressive capabilities. It can handle a wide range of tests. Scale-model aircraft ground vehicles UAVs bicycles motorcycles even racing yacht keels have all felt its powerful winds. But remember this is non-destructive testing only.
Inside the tunnel a sophisticated computer-automated system controls model positioning. Data acquisition is precise. A networked system allows for real-time data visibility. Most tests utilize the tunnel’s six-component external balance. Advanced electronic pressure scanning systems provide detailed pressure readings.
In 1948 the UW Board of Regents officially named the facility the Kirsten Aeronautical Laboratory. However Kirsten Wind Tunnel is the name everyone uses. It’s a testament to its importance and its enduring legacy. So next time you hear the term think of this impressive structure. Think of the ingenuity and the dedication that went into its creation. The wind whispers its stories. Listen carefully.