Glenn Hammond Curtiss (1878-1930) is best known as an aviation pioneer and inventor and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co. This collection consists of fifty-four images, predominantly photographs printed as postcards. The postcard images feature subjects relating to Glenn Curtiss and his aviation career.
Scope and Contents:
This collection consists of fifty-four images, predominantly photographs printed as postcards. The postcard images feature the following subjects relating to Glenn Curtiss and his aviation career: early Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) and Curtiss aircraft predominantly at Hammondsport, New York (H. M. Benner photographs) but also elsewhere (including one image of flight at Atlantic City dated 1920); International Air Meet (Los Angeles, 1910); US Army airship Signal Corps No. 1 (Baldwin); Gordon Bennett Aviation Trophy; ice boats on Lake Keuka, Curtiss "wind-wagon;" Curtiss motorcycles (with G. H. C. team); Glenn Curtiss with others (including Mrs. Curtiss, Louis Paulhan); group photographs which probably show Curtiss employees; and informal Curtiss family photographs.
All images have received minimal subject headings, but only some have had additional captions added.
Note: The digital images in this finding aid were repurposed from scans made by an outside contractor for a commercial product and may show irregular cropping and orientation in addition to color variations resulting from damage to and deterioration of the original objects.
Arrangement:
The fifty-four photographs have been assigned "7A" image numbers. They are arranged in numerical order (some images were assigned multiple numbers). Some photographs are in sleeves that hold two images.
Biographical / Historical:
Glenn Hammond Curtiss (1878-1930) is best known as an aviation pioneer and inventor and founder of the Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co. Initially a bicycle repairman and designer, by 1902 Curtiss had begun to manufacture motorcycles using a lightweight internal combustion engine of his own design and founded the Curtiss Manufacturing Co. By 1904, Curtiss' engine had been co-opted by Thomas Baldwin for his airship experiments. This activity led to a connection between Curtiss and Alexander Graham Bell and, in 1907, to the foundation of the Aerial Experiment Association. In 1909, Curtiss joined with Augustus M. Herring to form the Herring-Curtiss Co to manufacture powered vehicles, but Herring's unsubstantiated claims to priority over the Wright Brother's aeronautical patents led to the Wright and Curtiss patent suits which continued until the merger of Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor with Wright Aeronautical in 1929. Curtiss and Herring split after the Wright's filed suit and Herring sued Curtiss, claiming that Curtiss had failed to turn his air race winnings over to the company. Despite these, and other, suits, Curtiss continued to advance the cause and technology of aviation, founding the first public flying school (1910) and later a chain of schools across the US, inventing the aileron (1909), the dual-control trainer (1911) and the hydroaeroplane (1911). In 1920, Curtiss retired from active aviation pursuits.
Provenance:
Unknown - found in collection, Unknown, Unknown, NASM.XXXX.0682.
Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
7A10525 (top)
Subject: Curtiss Early Pusher Types (circa 1910)
7A10524 (bottom)
Subject: Photography, Ground, USA, NY, Hammondsport, Lake Keuka
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10526
Subject: Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) Aerodrome No 3 June Bug; Curtiss, Glenn Hammond
Caption: Three-quarter right front view of Aerial Experiment Association Aerodrome No 3 June Bug in flight at Hammondsport, New York, July 4, 1908; pilot is Glenn Curtiss. This flight won the Scientific American trophy.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Caption: Three-quarter right front view, from slightly below, of a Curtiss Hydro in flight over water, circa 1915, possiby in San Diego, California.
7A10528 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Model H "America", Twin-Engined (H-1)
Caption: circa Summer 1914
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10529 (top/right)
Subject: Curtiss, Glenn H.; Curtiss Beachey Special
7A10530 (bottom/left)
Subject: Curtiss, Glenn H.; Paulhan, Louis; Events, 1910, USA, California (CA), Los Angeles, Dominguez Field, [1st Annual] International Air Meet
Caption: Louis Paulhan (left) and Glenn H. Curtiss (right) pose standing at the [1st Annual] International Air Meet, Dominguez Field, Los Angeles, January 10-20, 1910.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10533 (top)
Subject: Events, 1910, USA, Los Angeles (CA), [1st Annual] International Air Meet; Curtiss Model D; Curtiss, Glenn H.
7A10534 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Early Pusher Type (circa 1910)
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10536 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Model H "America" (H-1), Launch Ceremony; Curtiss, Glenn H.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Caption: Three-quarter right front view from below of Curtiss No.1 Gold Bug (Golden Flier) in flight, piloted by Glenn H. Curtiss.
7A10538 (bottom)
Subject: Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) Aerodrome No 4 Silver Dart
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10539 (top)
Subject: Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) Cygnet II
7A10540 (bottom)
Subject: LTA, Airships, USA, Army, Signal Corps No.1 (Baldwin)
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10543 (top)
Subject: Curtiss, Glenn H. (Mr And Mrs); Curtiss-Herring No.1 "Reims Racer"
7A10544 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss, General, Personnel
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10545 (top)
Subject: Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) Aerodrome No 3 June Bug
7A10546 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Motorcycles, Curtiss Motorcycle Team
Caption: "Winners on Winners." Group photograph of nine members of the Curtiss Motorcycle Team posed with their motorcycles, probably at Hammondsport, New York, circa 1904-1908.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10549 (top)
Subject: Aerial Experiment Association (AEA) Aerodrome No 3 June Bug; Curtiss, Glenn Hammond
Caption: Three-quarter right front view of Aerial Experiment Association Aerodrome No 3 June Bug in flight at Hammondsport, New York, July 4, 1908; pilot is Glenn Curtiss. This flight won the Scientific American trophy.
7A10550 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Motorcycles, Curtiss Motorcycle Team
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Caption: Group photo, presumably staff of Glenn H. Curtiss' motorcycle shop. Curtiss, wearing hat, crouches behind front wheel of motorcycle at left, circa 1904.
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10553 (top)
Subject: LTA, Airships, USA, Baldwin (Thomas), General, Hammondsport, 1907; Curtiss, Glenn Hammond
7A10554 (bottom)
Subject: LTA, Airships, USA, Baldwin (Thomas), General, Hammondsport, 1907; Curtiss, Glenn Hammond
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10557 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Early Pusher Type (circa 1910)
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
7A10558 (top)
Subject: Curtiss Model D (Early); Curtiss, Glenn H.; Events, 1910, USA, Los Angeles (CA), [1st Annual] International Air Meet
7A10559 (bottom)
Subject: Curtiss Model D (Early)
Collection Restrictions:
No restrictions on access.
Collection Rights:
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Collection Citation:
Glenn Curtiss Early Aviation Photography Collection, Acc. XXXX.0682, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
