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Newsletter Aerogram WINTER ISSUE NOVEMBER 2020 AEROGRAM NEWSLETTER HAMMONDSPORT, NY CURTISSMUSEUM.ORG AEROGRAM 01 LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR In many ways, 2020 was the year that wasn’t. No summer motorcycle shows, no Wings & Wheels, no summer educational groups or activities, and no fun parties or events this fall. From March 17 through June 25, the Curtiss Museum experienced the longest prolonged closure in our organization’s nearly 60 years of operations. For months we listened to the creaks and groans of an empty building which are usually muffled by the daily sounds of excited patrons as they toured through our beautiful collection. Most of our days were spent trying to plan for a future nobody could describe with any certainty. Our staff and Board evaluated all possible contingencies as we settled in for a prolonged siege. As reopening appeared on the horizon, our state and local health authorities provided guidance and support. We communicated frequently with museums from across the country, using our collective experiences and resources to help each other reopen slowly and safely. Since June 26, we have been overwhelmed by the positivity and flexibility of our patrons as they donned their masks, sanitized their hands, and enjoyed everything we had to offer during a shortened and profoundly strange summer season. The American Alliance of Museums predicts that nearly 20% of U.S. museums will not survive the next 18 months. Though the Curtiss Museum experienced its fair share of economic disruptions in 2020, we survived and thrived with the help of our amazing staff, Trustees, volunteers and community. You, our Curtiss Family, stepped up when we needed you most. Through membership renewals, donations, and other in-kind help, you kept us going and for that we profoundly grateful. THANK YOU! 2021 marks the 60th CONTENTS anniversary of our provisional charter from the State of New York and we cannot wait to celebrate with you. We have some tremendous projects in the works and look forward to sharing everything in the coming months. Marvelous Motorcycle .................................................................................................. Cover Thank you again, and see you in 2021! Letter From The Director ..................................................................................................01 Mr. Curtiss and his Marvelous Motorcycles .......................................................................02 Curtiss and the Modern Day Robin Hood .........................................................................04 Captain Baldwin, The Dirigible Catalyst of Flight ............................................................05 Teaching the World to Fly - Part I ......................................................................................06 Curtiss Connections: William C. Chadeayne .....................................................................07 Restoration Shop Update ..................................................................................................08 Member Notes ...................................................................................................................09 BENJAMIN JOHNSON Planned Giving: Create a Lasting Legacy ........................................................... Back Cover Executive Director 02 AEROGRAM AEROGRAM 03 RICHARD LEISENRING, CURATOR In January of 1907 Glenn mounted the new formed the Marvel Motorcycle Company While Glenn and Hammondsport are V-8 engine on a modified motorcycle frame with “Tank” Waters. New buildings to house famous for their major influence in aviation and took it to the Speed Trials in Ormond the Marvel and MECO enterprises (the Erie history, it should be noted that when it comes Beach. FL. There he set a world speed motorcycle was discontinued) were erected to the motorcycle industry their influence MR. CURTISS AND HIS record of 136.4 miles an hour earning him adjacent to the Curtiss Co. and a new one- is just as great. For the short 10 years from the title of “The Fastest Man on Earth” as cylinder engine was designed for the Marvel. 1902 to 1912, Curtiss and his representatives well as becoming a world media sensation. Sadly, 1910 heralded the demise of the set world speed records, won countless races MARVELOUS MOTORCYCLES (It should be noted, this record stood as Curtiss Motorcycle. The Curtiss Herring and inspired other companies to move on a motorcycle speed record in the U.S. partnership soured and soon dissolved with to bigger and better accomplishments. Five until 1930.) He also set an officially timed “little chance for the Curtiss plant being brands were produced here - the Hercules, record of 1 minute 2 seconds for the mile opened as a motorcycle factory” according the Curtiss, the Erie, the MECO and the Young Glenn Curtiss got his thirst for speed In the spring of 1902, his third machine, a their first in 1906 and Harley–Davidson in run in the single cylinder class on January Marvel. Curtiss engines were supplied to while living in Rochester, NY and working tandem, proved extremely successful, which 1909.) Demand for his engines increased to one news report. The production of 22nd. Competing in the mile race for two motorcycles and engines on a smaller scale several companies including the Harry as a Western Union bicycle messenger in the he promptly sold. Encouraged by a number as another new mode of transportation, cylinder cycles on the 23rd, Curtiss came Geer Co. of St. Louis, MO who even went as mid-1890s. Returning to Hammondsport of inquiries, his first sale, and an order from aeronautics, showed a big interest in his was transferred to the Marvel plant to meet in first setting yet another record time of existing orders. far as the purchase and resale of complete in 1896, he became a champion racer for a a New Jersey customer, Curtiss formed engines. Builders of dirigibles came to 46.2/3 seconds. 1904 Hercules V-Twin models under their local team caught up in the bicycle craze of the G. H. Curtiss Manufacturing Co. and Curtiss for help. The end of 1903 found 1911 saw many changes at the facilities. The Glenn’s comments on the record breaking own brand name Green Egg. No doubt, had the era. Curtiss’ life moved quickly on many opened a third shop in Corning, NY. He Glenn creating the first American V Curtiss Aeroplane Company was formed in Glenn kept his interest in motorcycles on levels and by 1899, at the age of 20, he was offered for sale both a complete motorcycle 4-cylinder engine for this new sport. V-8 run were a bit subdued as was his nature. April and the Curtiss Motor Company a few He was quoted as saying “Riding an eight an equal par with aircraft, several famous already married to Lena Neff, and started and engine separately under The Hercules In January of 1904, Curtiss headed to months later to occupy the existing plant. brands might not be where they are today. his first business, a bicycle shop with his own brand. This success and a need to get back cylinder motorcycle is not likely to become The new unincorporated Curtiss Motorcycle Ormond Beach, FL by train with his V-twin very popular” and at such a high speed “All brand of bicycles known as "The Hercules". into competitive sports prompted Glenn Hercules to enter the new speed trials there. Company which appeared in May was He opened a second shop in Bath, NY the to try his hand at racing motorcycles. He I could see was a streak of beach with wild merged with Marvel by December. In the Undaunted by the competition, Glenn won surf on one side, sand hills on the other and following year. garnered the notice of the racing community the mile race in 59 seconds and the 10-mile meantime, the 1911 Marvel and Curtiss in Brooklyn on Sept. 1st by winning a third- a black spot where the crowd was.” “The motorcycles appeared as one-cylinder However, a new era of transportation was race in 8:54 minutes breaking all previous machine set up a terrific and inexplicable starting that dramatically changed his life place medal and a second-place Splitdorf American records. He would next revisit the machines, the V-twin being discontinued. Cup on his one-cylinder Hercules. vibration; it was so great that it did not create Sales diminished and 1912 would be – The Age of Motorcycles. With the help New York Hill Climb that May. Finding his wholly comforting thoughts.” However, he of his wife’s uncle, Frank Neff, Curtiss In 1903 Curtiss was now totally absorbed in 5 hp V-twin barred by the new 3 ½ hp limit, the last year motorcycle and motorcycle did say of the experience: “It satisfied my engine production would take place in began building his own motorcycle designs. motorcycles (he dropped bicycles completely he took second place with a one-cylinder speed craving.” In October of 1900, they announced a as well as his retail shops). Issuing his Hercules machine while hampered with fuel Hammondsport. The major emphasis was one-cylinder machine was ready for road first catalog, exhibiting at the New York mixture problems. While continuing to race, Glenn soon found himself spending more now fully on aviation. testing. The first bike was powered by Auto Show and extensive advertising soon Curtiss again expanded the plant to meet time managing the business and acting Leonard “Tank” Waters would continue stock engine castings possibly purchased brought in orders from as far as California increased demand. A significant change also as an engine man for Baldwin and others the Motorcycle Equipment Company in from E. R. Thomas Motor Co. in Buffalo, and New Zealand with twenty cycles and an came that year - another company holding and eventually stopped motorcycle racing. Hammondsport through 1928 strictly NY and proved to be underpowered. More unknown number of engines being shipped the rights to the Hercules brand name Engine production was now at an all-time as an accessory supply experimentation continued through 1901, in the first five months. This forced the forced Glenn to re-brand his machines high and it is estimated the company company. With its closure, any with the second machine too heavy and over addition to the plant behind his home. As as Curtiss. produced between 500 and 600 motorcycle connection the village had to and aeronautical engines that year.
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