HELL-RIDER TO KING OF THE AIR. Glenn Curtiss's Life of Innovation

House, Kirk W.

ISBN 10: 0768008026 / ISBN 13: 9780768008029

Published by SAE International, Warrendale, PA, 2003

About this Item

This work is the biography of Glenn Curtiss, a man who played a central role in creating some of the most important and exciting technology of the 20th century. He was uneducated, yet a technological and entrepreneutial pioneer. He began his career building and racing motorcycles, then moved on to work with dirigibles, airplanes, and then travel trailers. The book contains drawings, illustrations, photographs, diagrams, references, and an index. This copy is clean and solid.

Seller Inventory # 008970

Bibliographic Details

• Title: HELL-RIDER TO KING OF THE AIR. Glenn Curtiss's Life of Innovation
• Publisher: SAE International, Warrendale, PA
• Publication Date: 2003
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0768008026
• ISBN 13: 9780768008029
• Binding: Cloth
• Edition: First Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine

About this title

Synopsis

There's no question that Glenn Curtiss was one of the most significant figures in the early development of motorcycles, aviation, and engine development. This book will take you on a journey through both his life and his innovative technological developments.

And what a life it was. Descriptions of this man prove to be contradictory and controversial. He was quiet, yet dashing. Kind, yet stern. Uneducated, yet a technological and entrepreneurial pioneer. He began his inventing career by building and racing motorcycles, while creating new internal combustion engines, then moved on to work with dirigibles, airplanes (particularly seaplanes), community development, and travel trailers. In the end, Glenn Curtiss - a man respected by contemporaries for his character - went to his grave accused of fiduciary irresponsibility and patent theft. His bitter patent disputes with the Wright Brothers leave many wondering whether Curtiss should be seen as a hero or a villain when his place in history is considered.

Hell-Rider to King of the Air examines Curtiss's life, career, and accomplishments in an engaging and accessible way, so that readers can answer that question for themselves. 

Synopsis

A historian of aviation and one-time Director-Curator of the Glenn Curtiss Museum in New York explores the pioneering contributions Curtiss (1878-1930) made to aviation and engine development. House discusses his work in airplanes and general and seaplanes in particular, internal combustion engines, motorcycles, dirigibles, community development, a