E. M. Laird's Exhibition Biplane, Built in 1915

THF129673 / E. M. Laird's Exhibition Biplane, Built in 1915
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Artifact Overview

Self-taught pilot and engineer Emil Matthew "Matty" Laird built this airplane -- his third -- in 1915. He equipped it with a six-cylinder engine that gave the biplane its nickname: "Boneshaker." Laird flew it in stunt exhibitions across the United States. In 1916, Katherine Stinson took the "Boneshaker" to Japan and China -- where she became the first woman to fly.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1915-1920

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

36.634.7

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10 in
Width: 8.125 in

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Related Artifacts

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    Artifact

    1915 Laird Biplane, "Boneshaker"

    This was the third airplane constructed by Matty Laird, a self-taught pilot and aircraft engineer. He used the plane in stunt flying exhibitions from Montana to Maryland. Later the famous aviator Katherine Stinson took the plane to Japan and China, where she was the first woman to fly.
E. M. Laird's Exhibition Biplane, Built in 1915