MS-227 Glenn Curtiss Collection Collection Number: MS-227 Title: Glenn Curtiss Collection Dates: 1910-1924 Creator: Curtiss, Glenn Summary/Abstract: The collection consists of photographs once belonging to Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930), world famous aviator and early aircraft designer. The photographs document Curtiss’ early aviation involvements and include images of Curtiss and other aviators of the period, aircraft he designed and built, hydroplane experiments, and photographs of the Curtiss factory in Hammondsport, New York. Quantity/Physical Description: 299 photographs Language(s): English Repository: Special Collections and Archives, Paul Laurence Dunbar Library, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435-0001, (937) 775-2092 Restrictions on Access: There are no restrictions on accessing material in this collection. Restrictions on Use: Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder. Preferred Citation: [Box Number, Photo Number], MS-227, Glenn Curtiss Collection, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio Acquisition: The Glenn Curtiss Collection was purchased by Special Collections and Archives and was termed the William Wait, Jr. Photo Archive formerly owned by Glenn Curtiss. 1 Custodial History: According to the descriptive materials which came with the collection, Glenn Curtiss gave these photographs to William Wait, Jr., one of the Curtiss Company’s chief designers, before Curtiss moved to Florida in the early 1920s. Wait worked as a designer in the airframe department and was responsible for the development of various skin radiators. In 1920 he was on the design team of the Curtiss Texas Wildcat and also developed the idea of using the wings built for the Curtiss S-3 on the Cactus Kitten. By the early 1920s, Wait headed the design team’s drafting department and had much input in the experimental projects office, which was responsible for designing Curtiss racers. In early 1922, Wait was in charge of designing the racer R-6, which eventually achieved the world speed record and win the Pulitzer race. Later, as Racing Aeroplane Project Engineer, Wait also designed the R2C, R3C, and R3C-4 racers. Wait retained possession of the photos until he sold them in 1966. They were once again sold in 1991. Processing Information: Photograph descriptions were updated by Ed O’Shaughnessy, 2012. Related Material: Glenn Curtiss Collection of Early Aviation Photographs Arrangement: The photographs are divided into the following four series: Series I: Flying Boats Series II: San Diego and Other California Developments Series III: Curtiss America – Construction, Testing, etc. Series IV: Landplanes, Hydroplanes, and Miscellaneous Photos Historical Note Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930), a successful motorcycle manufacturer in Hammondsport, New York, became legendary in the aviation world. Curtiss’ entrée into aviation came in the early years of 1900 when balloonist Thomas Baldwin used a Curtiss-built engine to power a balloon. By 1906 nearly all dirigibles in the U.S. were using a Curtiss engine. One of Curtiss’ engines powered the first U.S. Army aircraft, the dirigible SC-1. In 1907, Curtiss and Alexander Graham Bell, founded the Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) which designed and built several aircraft. One of the aircraft built by the AEA was the first American aircraft to be equipped with ailerons, the White Wing. The invention of the aileron led to a patent fight between Curtiss and the Wright brothers. The AEA also built the first seaplane to be flown in the United States. 2 Curtiss continued to prove himself as a leader in the air. In 1908, Curtiss flew his plane, the June Bug, which was the first he had built, and won the Scientific American Trophy for making the first public flight of more than one kilometer in the United States. In 1909 at the Rheims Air Meet in France., Curtiss followed up his success by flying his Golden Flyer at the best speed in a two-lap triangular 6.2-mile course, averaging 47 miles per hour to win the Gordon Bennett Trophy and a $5,000 prize. Other firsts in aviation achieved by a Curtiss plane include the first takeoff and landing on the deck of a ship in 1911, and the first transatlantic crossing in 1919 made by the NC-4. Curtiss also built the first U.S. Navy aircraft, called the Triad and trained the first two naval pilots. He received the prestigious Collier Trophy and the Aero Club Gold Medal in 1911. The Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company was the largest aircraft manufacturer in the world during World War I. When it went public in 1916, it was the world's largest aviation company. During World War I, it produced 10,000 aircraft. In 1929, twelve Wright and Curtiss-affiliated companies merged to form The Curtiss-Wright Corporation. The company still exists. Scope and Content The collection consists of photographs once belonging to Glenn Curtiss (1878-1930), world famous aviator and early aircraft designer. The photographs document Curtiss’ early aviation involvements and include images of Curtiss and other aviators of the period, aircraft he designed and built, hydroplane experiments, and photographs of the Curtiss factory in Hammondsport, New York. The majority of the photos are original prints and were executed by Harry M. Benner or William Tomer, both Curtiss contract photographers. Benner acted as a semi-official Curtiss photographer during Curtiss’ pre-WWI career. The backs of 29 of the photos bear the signature and/or notations of William Wait Jr., a chief designer for the Curtiss Company who received the photographs from Curtiss and retained them for over 40 years. Fifty-one of the photos have typed explanations on the back. The photographs range in size from 110 mm x 165 mm to 135 mm x 170 mm, while the vast majority are approximately 125 mm x 175 mm. The photographs are divided into four series. Series I Flying Boats includes photographs of the Tadpole Flying Boat and Models “D”, “E”, “F”, and “K” flying boats. Series II San Diego and Other California Developments contain photographs of early hydroplane experiments in San Diego with Curtiss piloting the Model E flying boat. Series III consists of photographs of the Curtiss America hydroplane, including construction, testing, and crating. The fourth series, Landplanes, Hydroplanes and Miscellaneous photos, include images of the Model R, various engine models, Curtiss-Navy AH-4 hydro, and the inside of the Curtiss factory. 3 Subject Terms (Required) Persons/Families Curtiss, Glenn Hammond --1878-1930 Places Hammondsport, New York Subjects (General) Aeronautics—History Seaplanes—1910-1930 Material Types Photographs Collection Inventory Box Photo Date Place Description Type Aircraft People 1 1 Dec. 1913 Keuka Lake, Special Experimental Flying Boat built at Tadpole, 1st Man in light Hammondsport, Hammondsport. The features were an configuration sweater with dark NY especially light hull and tail surfaces raised trim appears to be up on line with the engine beds, and Glenn Curtiss. supported to an outrigger running to a ball bearing on the outer end of the propeller hub. This machine did not control particularly well, and the tail was later put down like a Standard “F”. 1 2 Dec 1913 Keuka Lake, Experimental Flying Boat showing high tail Tadpole, 1st Man in light Hammondsport, and outrigger to propeller hub. configuration sweater with dark NY trim appears to be Glenn Curtiss. 1 3 Mar 22, 1914 Keuka Lake, Tadpole (second configuration) with low Tadpole Curtiss in 4 Box Photo Date Place Description Type Aircraft People Hammondsport, tail and Type “D” Hydroplane “Joyriding” (left) and Tadpole. 2 men NY on the ice. Type “D” and 2 women in Hydroplane Type “D”. (right) 1 4 Mar 22, 1914 Keuka Lake, Tadpole (second configuration) with low Tadpole, 2nd Glenn Curtiss. Hammondsport, tail “Joyriding” on the ice. 2nd configuration configuration NY included skis outboard of the fuselage and lower empennage. 1 5 Mar 22, 1914 Keuka Lake, Second Configuration Tadpole flying above Tadpole, 2nd Glenn Curtiss Hammondsport, the ice. configuration NY 1 6 Mar 22, 1914 Keuka Lake, Second Configuration Tadpole flying above Tadpole, 2nd Glenn Curtiss Hammondsport, the ice. configuration NY 1 7 Mar 22, 1914 Keuka Lake, Second Configuration Tadpole on the ice. Tadpole, 2nd Glenn Curtiss and Hammondsport, The wings of this machine are pivoted configuration passenger NY around a central vertical post and connected to the aileron controls. The wings had considerable dihedral and when the controls were operated to bring one wing forward and the other back, the wing moving forward presented a greater angle of incidence than normal, and the one moved back a smaller angle than normal. This combination had a considerable righting effect, but it was not practical because there was too great a mass to operate, and it was very logy. 1 8 Dec 24, 1913 Curtiss factory, Owl II on factory floor. The front wheel in Owl II none Hammondsport, this machine was located permanently in NY place. 1 9 undated Model E Flying Boat converted to a Model E Man holding tail. 5 Box Photo Date Place Description Type Aircraft People “scooter”. This did not show much speed and was only able to attain 30 to 35 miles per hour. 1 10 undated Flying Boat Hull Model F none 1 11 Mar 1, 1914 Curtiss factory Flying Boat with Folding Spray Shield over Model F none Hammondsport, cockpit. This view shows shield folded NY down. 1 12 Mar 1, 1914 Curtiss factory Flying Boat with Folding Spray Shield over Model F none Hammondsport, cockpit. This view shows shield up. NY 1 13 Mar 1914 Curtiss factory Flying Boat hull on its side showing 4 Model F none Hammondsport, passenger seating. NY 1 14 Apr 13, 1914 Curtiss factory Group of students in front of aircraft at Model F Glenn Curtiss is Hammondsport, factory.