- Published: September 17, 2022
- Updated: September 17, 2022
- University / College: The University of Adelaide
- Language: English
- Downloads: 20
Glenn Curtiss knew motorcycles but more importantly engines.
In 1902, he formed the G. H. Curtiss Manufacturing Company best known for its Hercules motorcycle.
In fact, it wasthis motorcycle that caught the attention of Thomas Scott Baldwin, a pioneer balloonist. Curtiss’ engine was to power the first controlled dirigible flight. It was asuccess. This led to his involvement with the Ariel Experiment Association, orthe AEA (Lawrence 2015).
The AEA successfully released succeeding prototypeswith the third being Curtiss’ design. It was known as the June Bug. In 1909 Curtiss produced the Golden Flyer, this was to be the first commercial private sale inthe United States (Lawrence 2015). The next few years consisted of many firstsoften overshadowed by a patent dispute, regarding the use of ailerons, with theWright brothers (Glines 2016). Despite the dispute, Curtiss continued to impact the industry. Hepioneered the design of the first floatplane and flying boat.
It was hisaircraft, flown by Eugene Ely, that made the first successful takeoff from a Navyship. The NC-4, Curtiss’ design, made the first crossing of the Atlantic. Hebuilt the Navy’s first aircraft, the Triad. The Jenny became a standard in military training.
His engine design, the OX series, is attributed to much of the industry’s success (Glines 2016). Glenn Curtiss truly advanced aviation. II. ProblemThe AEA intentionally neglected to use “ wing warp” in theirearlier designs as it would infringe on the Wright brother’s patent. In itsplace Alexander Graham Bell introduced the aileron, a control surfaceresponsible for roll (Lawrence 2015). Curtiss continued to design his aircraftusing the aileron, capitalizing on it along the way, despite warning. TheWright brothers sued claiming it still fell under the patent (Trainor 2015).
