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Catalog Data

Designer:
Charles M Olmsted  Search this
Manufacturer:
Charles M Olmsted  Search this
Materials:
Wood
Paint
Steel
Lacquer
Dimensions:
Rotor/Propeller: 123.8 x 35.6 x 10.2 x 34.6 x 0.9 x 4.8cm (48 3/4 x 14 x 4 x 13 5/8 x 3/8 x 1 7/8 in.)
Storage: 32.4 x 130.2 x 40cm (12 3/4 x 51 1/4 x 15 3/4 in.)
Type:
PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers
Country of Origin:
United States of America
Date:
1909
Physical Description:
Type: Two-blade, fixed-pitch, spruce, metal tipped.
Diameter: 123.8 cm (48.75 in.)
Chord: 35.6 cm (14 in.)
Engine Application: 37 kw (50 hp) Gnome "Omega" air-cooled, rotary (for proposed aircraft)
Summary:
Charles M. Olmsted, a European trained physicist from Upstate New York, had an interest in flight from his early years. His success with gliders in the 1890's led to the formation of the Buffalo-Pitts-Olmsted Syndicate in 1910 to develop aircraft. Following failure of the related agricultural equipment manufacturing company, Olmsted formed the CMO Physical Laboratory, continuing to manufacture and sell his ultra-efficient propellers.
Olmsted propellers had a significant role in aviation history, including weight carrying records and the first transatlantic aircraft flight, but differed from other propellers, having a large surface near the blade base and very little surface at the tip. Olmsted's propellers represented a fundamental difference in design philosophy that has not been duplicated by any other designer.
Used for 1909 wind tunnel testing of propeller efficiency, this patented design was to be adapted for use on a mass-produced metal and wood Olmsted airplane of monocoque construction. Development stopped when 90% complete due to the 1912 bankruptcy.
Credit Line:
Found in collection
Inventory Number:
A19690140000
Restrictions & Rights:
Usage conditions apply
See more items in:
National Air and Space Museum Collection
Data Source:
National Air and Space Museum
GUID:
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9f069c4f1-5d7b-4b2a-bdc3-b937bcef610c
EDAN-URL:
edanmdm:nasm_A19690140000