Designer:

E. W. Bonson  Search this

Manufacturer:

Requa Gibson Company  Search this

Materials:

Wood

Varnish

Copper Alloy

Dimensions:

Rotor/Propeller: 213.4 x 25.4 x 19.3 x 1.3 x 3.2cm (84 x 10 x 7 5/8 x 1/2 x 1 1/4 in.)

Type:

PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers

Country of Origin:

United States of America

Date:

1911

Physical Description:

Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood

Diameter: 213.4 cm (84 in.)

Chord: 25.4 cm (10 in.)

Engine Application: Unknown

Summary:

In the United States, the Requa Gibson Company of New York City, led by Hugh C. Gibson, became the first American propeller manufacturer in 1909. The company began by crafting copies of Chauviére designs, but it then pioneered distinctively American designs by E.W. Bonson. The success of this pioneer propeller manufacturer was short-lived, as the company went bankrupt in June 1911.

This Requa Gibson propeller was used by Professor David L. Gallup in experiments at Worcester Polytechnique Institute from 1911 to 1913. The Gallup whirling arm experiments were one of the first comprehensive attempts to test the efficiency of propellers in the world. In 1912 the same testing apparatus was used by MIT student Frank W. Caldwell, who went on to become a leader in the development of propeller technology in both government and industry.

Credit Line:

Gift of Alden Hydraulic Laboratory, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Inventory Number:

A19300074000

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

National Air and Space Museum Collection

Location:

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

Exhibition:

Early Flight

Data Source:

National Air and Space Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/nv9adf74c48-b784-4027-ade6-4952808a58f7

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:nasm_A19300074000