In 1928, glenn curtiss opened a branch of his flying school at a stratford, connecticut airport on long island sound and painted his distinctive cursive logo on two new hangars, the first permanent structures at what is now igor i. Despite all you read about early car speed records, trains actually held the land speed record until 1907. In 1908, he became involved in the aerial experiment association aea, a group founded by alexander graham bell. Glenn hammond curtiss was a world famous aviation pioneer before. Dedicated to the accomplishments of pioneer aviator and father of naval aviation, glenn curtiss.
The life and times of glenn hammond curtiss by david langley glenn h. Curtiss on the cover of time magazine on october, 1924. Author peter joffre nyes latest work is his biography of albert champion, the. A standard biography of curtiss is alden hatch, glenn curtiss. Curtiss made the first officially witnessed flight in no. Curtisss success at racing strengthened his reputation as a leading maker of.
Glenn curtiss was born on may 21, 1878 in hammondsport, new york, usa as glen hammond curtiss. Glenn curtiss was a remarkable man for his contributions to motorsports and aviation. Glenn hammond curtiss the american aviation pioneer glenn hammond curtiss. The tale of the 1907 curtiss v8, the only motorcycle ever. Sikorsky memorial airport, named for the russianamerican aviation pioneer. Ocker converted a curtiss jn4 jenny biplane into an airplane ambulance by modifying the rear cockpit to accommodate a standard. Glenn curtiss flying the june bug on july 1908 photo courtesy library of congress. Curtiss was a noted motorcycle builder and racer, who built and produced engines for airships as early as 1906. Glenn hammond curtiss may 21, 1878 july 23, 1930 was an american aviation pioneer and founder of the curtiss aeroplane and motor company, now part of curtisswright corporation. Like them, he was interested in bicycles as a young man, and opened a bicycle repair shop in 1900. Curtiss is remembered today as the father of naval aviation and the founder of the american aircraft industry. Glenn hammond curtiss may 21, 1878 july 23, 1930 was an american aviation and. In 1908, curtiss joined the aerial experiment association, a pioneering research group, founded by alexander graham bell at beinn bhreagh, nova scotia, to build flying machines.
Bobby unser, unser, bobby 1934 american race car driver bobby unser. Glenn hammond curtiss american engineer britannica. Born in 1878 in hammondsport, new york, curtiss was a contemporary of the wright brothers. In 1929, curtisswright was formed by the merger of companies founded by glenn curtiss, the father of naval aviation, and the wright brothers, renowned for. He began his career as a bicycle racer and builder before moving on to motorcycles. Leary wrote in american national biography, curtiss stands in the. Glenn curtiss 1907 from contact the story of the early birds by henry serrano villard. This was the first longdistance citytocity flight between albany, ny and new york city. On that day, and for years afterward, glenn curtiss carried the title, fastest man. Cmi, a floridaregistered 501c3 allvolunteer organization, was established in 1998 to preserve the home and legacy of legendary hero glenn hammond curtiss, a designated site on the national register of historic places our mission is to restore and operate the home and gardens of glenn hammond curtiss, visionary aviator.
Glenn hammond curtiss was returned to his home town where he rests today in a quiet spot in the pleasant valley cemetery, not far from the site of his historic flight in the june bug. Curtiss began his career in the bicycle business, earning fame as one of the leading cycle racers in western new york state. Easter sunday, thanksgiving day, christmas eve, christmas day and new years day. Glenn curtiss versus the wright brothers bikeraceinfo.
Glenn hammond curtiss was a world famous aviation pioneer before becoming a land developer in south florida. Born on may 21, 1878 birth in hammondsport, new york. Curtiss was young when his father, frank, a harness maker, died. Glenn hammond curtiss was an american aviation and motorcycling pioneer, and a founder of the u. Although glenn curtiss was not the first to fly, one cannot deny his critical role in the early days of flight. Glenn hammond curtiss, pioneer aviator and leading american manufacturer of aircraft by the time of the united statess entry into world war i. Glenn curtiss interesting stories about famous people. As early as 1904, he began to manufacture engines for airships. In this lesson, learn why glenn curtiss left such a legacy in. That all changed when glen curtiss built and rode a v8 motorcycle to a land speed record. Glenn curtiss a look back at the elon musk and steve.
1307 1145 9 219 993 127 598 1108 445 368 1409 1586 551 1417 306 730 1013 44 1301 1003 1410 1031 329 300 142 1237 1241 250 1112 1256 119 396 706 1055 1007 1202 1456 953