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- Curtiss Model K-12 Engine and Model 18-B Airplane, circa 1919 - Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1909. The company achieved success -- especially as military orders soared during World War I -- but Curtiss also endured failure. The promising 400-horsepower K-12 engine (pictured here, left) ultimately proved to be unreliable, and the model 18-B airplane (right) was never put into production.
- circa 1919
- Collections - Artifact
Curtiss Model K-12 Engine and Model 18-B Airplane, circa 1919
Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1909. The company achieved success -- especially as military orders soared during World War I -- but Curtiss also endured failure. The promising 400-horsepower K-12 engine (pictured here, left) ultimately proved to be unreliable, and the model 18-B airplane (right) was never put into production.
- As Safe as a Suspension Bridge, 1919-1920 - Glenn Curtiss, whose airplane business flourished during World War I, established a state-of-the-art research and experimentation facility on Long Island, New York, in 1917. At the Curtiss Engineering Corporation, a handpicked team built, tested, and refined propellers, engines, and airplanes. This brochure claimed a scientific approach made Curtiss airplanes as safe as the more established modes of transportation Americans already trusted.
- 1919-1920
- Collections - Artifact
As Safe as a Suspension Bridge, 1919-1920
Glenn Curtiss, whose airplane business flourished during World War I, established a state-of-the-art research and experimentation facility on Long Island, New York, in 1917. At the Curtiss Engineering Corporation, a handpicked team built, tested, and refined propellers, engines, and airplanes. This brochure claimed a scientific approach made Curtiss airplanes as safe as the more established modes of transportation Americans already trusted.
- Landing Fields, circa 1920 - Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1909. An adept businessman, Curtiss helped establish the infrastructure that made aviation practical. He built and advocated for flying schools, flying services, and landing fields (like those promoted in this Curtiss company brochure) across the country. For his contributions, Curtiss is remembered as an "architect of American aviation."
- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Landing Fields, circa 1920
Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in 1909. An adept businessman, Curtiss helped establish the infrastructure that made aviation practical. He built and advocated for flying schools, flying services, and landing fields (like those promoted in this Curtiss company brochure) across the country. For his contributions, Curtiss is remembered as an "architect of American aviation."
- Glenn Curtiss and His Hydroaeroplane Being Hoisted Aboard the Armored Cruiser Pennsylvania, February 17, 1911 - On February 17, 1911, Glenn Curtiss demonstrated the practicality of naval aviation when he flew a hydroaeroplane out to the armored cruiser <em>Pennsylvania</em> in San Diego Bay. Curtiss landed nearby, and he and his aircraft were hoisted aboard the ship. After meeting with officers, Curtiss and his seaplane were lowered back into the water, and the pioneering aviator flew away.
- February 17, 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Glenn Curtiss and His Hydroaeroplane Being Hoisted Aboard the Armored Cruiser Pennsylvania, February 17, 1911
On February 17, 1911, Glenn Curtiss demonstrated the practicality of naval aviation when he flew a hydroaeroplane out to the armored cruiser Pennsylvania in San Diego Bay. Curtiss landed nearby, and he and his aircraft were hoisted aboard the ship. After meeting with officers, Curtiss and his seaplane were lowered back into the water, and the pioneering aviator flew away.
- Curtiss Aeroplanes, 1912 - Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in his hometown of Hammondsport, New York, in 1909. As military orders soared during World War I, Curtiss relocated the company to Buffalo, New York, in 1916. Curtiss's firm was acquired by Willys-Overland the following year, and it merged with the Wright Company in 1929.
- 1912
- Collections - Artifact
Curtiss Aeroplanes, 1912
Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in his hometown of Hammondsport, New York, in 1909. As military orders soared during World War I, Curtiss relocated the company to Buffalo, New York, in 1916. Curtiss's firm was acquired by Willys-Overland the following year, and it merged with the Wright Company in 1929.
- Curtiss JN "Jenny" Airplane, circa 1915 - The Curtiss JN-4, first produced in 1915, was among the best-known aircraft of its day. It was the U.S. Army's primary training airplane during World War I, and military crews affectionately nicknamed it "Jenny." After the war, barnstorming pilots bought surplus Jennys and flew them in stunt shows, introducing many Americans to aviation's wonders and possibilities.
- circa 1915
- Collections - Artifact
Curtiss JN "Jenny" Airplane, circa 1915
The Curtiss JN-4, first produced in 1915, was among the best-known aircraft of its day. It was the U.S. Army's primary training airplane during World War I, and military crews affectionately nicknamed it "Jenny." After the war, barnstorming pilots bought surplus Jennys and flew them in stunt shows, introducing many Americans to aviation's wonders and possibilities.
- Glenn Curtiss and His Hydroaeroplane Being Hoisted Aboard the Armored Cruiser Pennsylvania, February 17, 1911 - On February 17, 1911, Glenn Curtiss demonstrated the practicality of naval aviation when he flew a hydroaeroplane out to the armored cruiser <em>Pennsylvania</em> in San Diego Bay. Curtiss landed nearby, and he and his aircraft were hoisted aboard the ship. After meeting with officers, Curtiss and his seaplane were lowered back into the water, and the pioneering aviator flew away.
- 1911
- Collections - Artifact
Glenn Curtiss and His Hydroaeroplane Being Hoisted Aboard the Armored Cruiser Pennsylvania, February 17, 1911
On February 17, 1911, Glenn Curtiss demonstrated the practicality of naval aviation when he flew a hydroaeroplane out to the armored cruiser Pennsylvania in San Diego Bay. Curtiss landed nearby, and he and his aircraft were hoisted aboard the ship. After meeting with officers, Curtiss and his seaplane were lowered back into the water, and the pioneering aviator flew away.
- Henry Ford and Glenn Curtiss with Curtiss Flying Boat, Hammondsport, New York, 1913 - Henry Ford felt something of a kinship with aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss. When this photo was taken in 1913, Curtiss was locked in a bitter patent dispute with the Wright Company, despite Curtiss's aileron control method being mechanically different from the Wright brothers' wing-warping technique. The fight reminded Ford of his own difficult struggle against the Selden automobile patent.
- 1913
- Collections - Artifact
Henry Ford and Glenn Curtiss with Curtiss Flying Boat, Hammondsport, New York, 1913
Henry Ford felt something of a kinship with aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss. When this photo was taken in 1913, Curtiss was locked in a bitter patent dispute with the Wright Company, despite Curtiss's aileron control method being mechanically different from the Wright brothers' wing-warping technique. The fight reminded Ford of his own difficult struggle against the Selden automobile patent.
- Dope Room, Plant "G," Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, April 1918 - Many early airplanes had wings and fuselages covered in lightweight fabric. Manufacturers coated the fabric with a lacquer commonly called dope. The coating increased the fabric's airtightness and weather resistance. This 1918 photograph shows a dope room at the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. In liquid form, dope could be highly flammable -- note the "Smoking Prohibited" sign.
- April 16, 1918
- Collections - Artifact
Dope Room, Plant "G," Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company, April 1918
Many early airplanes had wings and fuselages covered in lightweight fabric. Manufacturers coated the fabric with a lacquer commonly called dope. The coating increased the fabric's airtightness and weather resistance. This 1918 photograph shows a dope room at the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company. In liquid form, dope could be highly flammable -- note the "Smoking Prohibited" sign.
- Final Assembly of Curtiss HS-1 Single Engine Flying Boat, 1917-1918 - Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in his hometown of Hammondsport, New York, in 1909. As military orders soared during World War I, Curtiss relocated the company to Buffalo, New York, in 1916. Curtiss's firm was acquired by Willys-Overland the following year, and it merged with the Wright Company in 1929.
- 1917-1918
- Collections - Artifact
Final Assembly of Curtiss HS-1 Single Engine Flying Boat, 1917-1918
Glenn Curtiss established what would become the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company in his hometown of Hammondsport, New York, in 1909. As military orders soared during World War I, Curtiss relocated the company to Buffalo, New York, in 1916. Curtiss's firm was acquired by Willys-Overland the following year, and it merged with the Wright Company in 1929.