Landmarks of Human Thought I - Catalog - Page 32
Glenn
Hammond
Curtiss
Hydroaeroplane
U.S. Patent
No. 1,420,609 and No. 1,420,610
Inducted in 2003
Born May 21, 1878 - Died July 23, 1930
G
lenn Curtiss influenced every field of
aeronautics.
He holds 72 patents, including designs for
dirigibles, aeroplanes, flying boats, commercial
aircraft, and Navy planes. Curtiss built one of the
first flying machines to land in water and founded
one of the first companies created specifically for
manufacturing airplanes.
Curtiss was born in Hammondsport, New York and
opened a motorcycle shop in 1901. Respected for
his quality motorcycle engines, Curtiss built the
engine for the California Arrow, the first successful
dirigible in America. He also worked for Alexander
Graham Bell in the Aerial Experiment Association,
designing the June Bug. It included ailerons a
device controlling the lateral balance of an airplane
making the Wright's wing-warping obsolete. In
1911, Curtiss designed a seaplane for the Navy,
adding retractable landing gear to his design (U.S.
Patents No. 1,420,609 and No. 1,420,610). By the
start of World War I, Curtiss was the largest
American aircraft manufacturer. His most famous
design was the Jenny, which was primarily a
military training aircraft for WWI and later used for
barnstorming and mail delivery.
Glenn Curtiss is considered the most influential
man in the evolution of aviation. His keen insight
into aeronautics and aviation, despite having no
formal education past eighth grade, affirms his
genius. He holds the Collier Trophy and the
Langley Medal.
Reference: National Inventors Hall of Fame (2024, 23. February)
Inductee: Glenn Hammond Curtiss.
NIHF. https://www.invent.org/inductees/glenn-hammond-curtiss
