Other than the Wright Brothers, perhaps no other individual is as important to the history of aviation than Glenn Curtiss. Just a few years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight in 1903, Curtiss, almost single handedly, improved and advanced the newfangled airplane to see ever expanding commercial, military and personal application.
Curtiss’ various ventures centered in the area around Hammondsport, New York. The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum is a tribute to this aviation pioneer and is a fascinating place to learn about this area of aviation history.
Never heard of CUrtiss so a quick read on Wikipedia and I’m more knowledgeable now. Interesting to me that I’ve heard about the Wright Brothers but little about him and his work. Shows me how our education system failed me or failed to pay attention.
Considering what he had to work with and the technology of the day, the man was clearly a pioneer and likely a genius. It was quite fascinating. I knew of him primarily because of my interest in aviation, otherwise he would be a footnote to history. But he ranks up there with Edison, Graham Bell and others for his contribution to the things we enjoy today.
And as I recall he built motorcycles too! The museum is rather unpretentious but definitely worth a visit.
He actually started off with bicycles, motorized them, then eventually morphed into airplanes – and boats. An interesting dude, right up there with other geniuses of his time but less well-known.