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History of Aviation CollectionsBrowse only aviation collections with finding aids online in PDF format or search our site: Browse short descriptions of aviation collections in our holdings below. |
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| MS-1 | WRIGHT BROTHERS COLLECTION. Papers, Photographs, Journals, 1853-1973. 19 lin. ft., 203 volumes. |
| A supplement to the main body of Orville and Wilbur Wright's papers located in the Library of Congress, this collection consists of family letters and papers, financial records, school mementos, genealogical material, the church papers and diaries of the Wrights' father (Bishop Milton Wright), notebooks, citations, awards, and the Wright's technical library which includes journals books, and pamphlets covering many aspects of early aeronautics. The collection also includes nearly 4,000 photographs, many of which are original prints taken by the Wrights to document their early flying experiments. In addition, there are extensive photographs of the Wright family and of the Wrights' flying exhibitions in Europe and the United States. The photographs and papers are available in a microfilm edition. Finding aid available | |
| MS-37 | AERONAUTICAL EPHEMERA COLLECTION I. Papers, 1905-1928. .5 lin. ft. |
| Broadsides, advertisements, programs, photographs, certificates, and other ephemera pertaining primarily to pre-World War I aeronautics. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-53 | MARSHALL, FRED F. (1891-1974). Papers, 1912-1974. 7.5 lin. ft. |
| Papers reflect Marshall's career as an engineer, aviation journalist, photographer, environmentalist, and local historian. Includes extensive correspondence, scrapbooks, clippings, photographs, and printed material. Marshall was attached to the Signal Corps in World War I, then returned to Dayton, Ohio, to work at McCook Field where he was editor of the aviation journal, Slipstream. Marshall retired in 1955 after working for several engineering and aircraft firms and devoted his time to writing articles dealing with the history of the Yellow Springs, Clifton, and Cedarville areas of Greene County, Ohio. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-57 | CONQUISTADORES DEL CIELO. Records, 1940-1975. 2 lin. ft. |
| Collection consists of yearbooks, correspondence, and printed materials. Conquistadores Del Cielo is an organization of aviation executives formed in 1937. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-59 | DAYTON MUNICIPAL AIRPORT. Records, 1926-1936. .5 lin. ft. |
| Contains primarily correspondence from the Dayton City Manager's files pertaining to the establishment of a municipally owned airport in Dayton. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-63 | FORD, FREDRIC EARL (1920-1978). Papers, 1930-1945. 4.5 lin. ft. |
| Ford served with the 5th Bomb Wing in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was the commander of the photography group and the papers in this collection consist primarily of photographs and negatives, most taken during the later part of World War II, 1943-1945. The photographs show many aspects of camp and military life as well as the customs and traditions of the native peoples where Ford was stationed. All images are identified and dated on back. Also included is a small amount of printed material. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-64 | AERONAUTICAL TRAINING SCHOOLS. Records, 1918-1919. 1 lin. ft. |
| Contains lesson booklets, examination papers, correspondence, broadsides, lectures, and blueprints from two early correspondence schools involved in teaching aviation: The National Aero Institute and the American School of Aviation. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-71 | HENRY STOUT WRIGHT BROTHERS COLLECTION. Papers, 1903-1973. .5 lin. ft. |
| This collection includes pamphlets, broadsides, photographs, postcards, clippings, and correspondence pertaining to Orville and Wilbur Wright. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-82 | BROWN, GARNET C. (1881-1972). Papers, 1912-1972. 4 lin. ft. |
| Brown, a native of Springfield, was a local engineer and designer who helped pioneer several inventions in the aviation and automobile industries. His papers consist of engineering notebooks, personal and business correspondence, blueprints, photographs, original stories and poems, clippings, and a collection of printed materials reflecting his various interests and hobbies. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-88 | MAX BAKER AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers, 1904-1967. 2.5 lin. ft. |
| Max Baker was an engineer with a keen interest in the Wright Brothers and early aviation. His collection includes copies of his research papers on technical aspects of the invention of flight, copies of Wilbur Wright's diaries and correspondence with Chanute, copies of the Wrights' patents, photographs of Wright propellers, wind tunnels, and various other experimental equipment, Baker's correspondence with aviation experts and enthusiasts, and drawings and blueprints of Wright aircraft and equipment, including a drawing of the engine Charles Taylor designed and built for the 1903 Wright Flyer. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-109 | BRUCKNER, CLAYTON J. (1896-1977) Papers, 1928-1972. 19.5 lin. ft. |
| Collection consists primarily of business records from the WACO Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio, which was owned by Bruckner, and various printed materials relating to aviation. The business records include minutes of the WACO Board of Directors and stockholders meetings, extensive financial records, photographs, administrative files pertaining to WACO's manufacture of World War II aircraft, and materials related to Bruckner's membership in the Aircraft Manufacture's Association. Also included are patent case files and product information with instruction manuals and parts lists. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-118 | KETO, JOHN. Papers, 1954-1977. 4.5 lin. ft. |
| Collection includes correspondence, pamphlets, research reports, speeches, and symposium papers covering such topics as Air Force history, bionics, technical education, and military research. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-120 | NIGHT FIGHTERS OF WORLD WAR II HISTORICAL COLLECTION. Records, 1942-1978. .5 lin. ft. |
| Consists of records relating to Night Fighter Squadrons serving in World War II. Includes pilot tests, squadron reports, individual flight records, rosters, unpublished chronologies of the 6th and 417th Night Fight Squadrons, and photographs. The collection also includes an audio recording of the 1978 Night Fighter Reunion which was held in Dayton, Ohio. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-122 | CIVIL AERONAUTICS ADMINISTRATION. Records, 1944-1952 .5 lin. ft. |
| Records in this collection were created from the Clayton Bruckner Papers (MS-109) and consist primarily of correspondence, published reports, and bulletins. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-134 | WRIGHT MEMORIAL COMMISSION. Records, 1912-1943. .5 lin. ft. |
| The Wright Memorial Commission was organized in 1912 to build a monument near Huffman Prairie in honor of the Wright Brothers' contribution to aviation. Records include minutes, financial reports, correspondence, and other materials that document the physical development of the monument. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-136 | DAYTON AIR SERVICE COMMITTEE. Records, 1922-1943. .5 lin. ft. |
| The Dayton Air Service Committee was incorporated in 1922 to establish an air service experiment station in Dayton. The committee's records consist of articles of incorporation, Board of Trustees' minutes, correspondence, financial records, and information on the acquisition of land. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-152 | DAYTON-WRIGHT AIRPLANE COMPANY. Photographs, 1918. 3 lin. ft. |
| A collection of 156 large format glass plate negatives showing workers, interior and exterior plant views, airplane assembly, and completed airplanes from a Dayton manufacturer of World War I aircraft. Search the images in CORE. | |
| MS-156 | AVIATION EPHEMERA II. Collection, 1889-1980. 3 lin. ft. |
| An individual's collection of magazines, pamphlets, photographs, and clippings related to aviation. Provenance is unknown. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-157 | AIR FORCE MUSEUM WRIGHT BROTHERS COLLECTION. Collection, 1922-1978. 1 lin. ft. |
| Consists of articles, letters, speeches, and clippings pertaining to the Wright Brothers collected by the Air Force Museum at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton. Subjects covered include removal of Wright buildings from Dayton, interviews and personal history of the Wrights, the Smithsonian-Langley controversy, obituaries, funerals, and miscellaneous aviation materials. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-158 | FULTON FLIGHT. Scrapbook, 1909. 1 lin. ft. |
| An individual's scrapbook containing clippings and other memorabilia pertaining to the Fulton Flight Contest sponsored by the Aero Club of America in New York in 1909. Included are announcements of the contest, promotional materials, entry forms, clippings, commemorative postcards, and information about preparations by the aviators. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-159 | HUTCHINS, C.T. (1889-1938). Papers, 1917-1939. 2.5 lin. ft. |
C.T. Hutchins was an advertising executive with the Goodyear Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, who had an interest in lighter than-air-aviation. His papers include personal and family letters, photographs, cards, news clippings, and memorabilia pertaining to early aviation. Of particular interest is material on the Goodyear-Zeppelin christening in Akron in 1931, and a folder pertaining to Amelia Earhart's visit to Akron in 1929. Finding aid available. |
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| MS-165 | PETER B. KLINE AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers, 1822-1986. 23 lin. ft. |
Kline, an aeronautical engineer, was an avid collector of aviation materials. His particular areas of interest were World War I era aviation and military aircraft, although he collected over a wide range of aviation subjects. The majority of this collection is arranged by type of aircraft. Files contain clippings, journal articles, photographs, mechanical specifications, illustrations, and miscellaneous information about particular aircraft. The collection also includes technical manuals, correspondence with other aviation collectors and book dealers, information on aviation insignia,
ephemera, scrapbooks, information on aviators, and a small amount of personal and family papers. Finding aid available. |
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| MS-166 | CHISAM, WILLIAM H. (1894-1965). Photographs, 1915-1917. .5 lin. ft. |
| William Chisam learned to fly in civilian schools in Dayton and Augusta, Georgia before joining the Royal Naval Air Service and flying missions in France during World War I. This collection includes photographs of Chisam and his friends in flying school, military aircraft in France, flying squadrons, and war damaged buildings. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-167 | NATIONAL CYCLOPEDIA OF AVIATION BIOGRAPHY. Records, 1925-1939. 43 lin. ft. |
| Consists of materials collected by W. L. Hamberger in the 1920's and 1930's in preparation to publish his National Cyclopedia of Aviation Biography. Included are files on over 3,000 individuals prominent in the field of aviation in the early twentieth century. Files contain a variety of materials including newsclippings, photographs, correspondence, questionnaires, and drafts of biographies. The Cyclopedia was never completed or published. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-175 | WRIGHT BROTHERS PHOTOGRAPH AND POSTCARD COLLECTION. Photographs, 1895-1967. 63 items. |
| A collection of images of the Wright Brothers, their shops, family, and flights in Europe. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-177 | JOHNSON, AMY (1903-1941). Papers, 1930-1958. 1 lin. ft. |
| Johnson, an English aviator, became an instant celebrity after piloting her DeHavilland Gypsy Moth from London to Australia in 1930, a long distant flight no woman had ever attempted. Her papers include the manuscript of her unpublished biography, written by her sister, as well as correspondence, personal papers, and photographs. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-178 | ROSE, JOHN J. (1892-1988). Papers, 1914-1983. 3 lin. ft. |
| Rose was a self-educated engineer and inventor who worked primarily on aviation engine developments. His papers cover both personal and technical subjects, however, the bulk of the collection is devoted to work-related materials including correspondence, work agreements, detailed notes, photographs, and reports detailing various projects. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-179 | AERONAUTICAL PRODUCTS CORPORATION. Records, 1929-1941. 1.5 lin. ft. |
| The Aeronautical Products Corporation was based in Los Angeles and manufactured beacon lights to guide aircraft. Records include correspondence, photographs, printed materials, advertisements, and clippings. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-188 | CANIFF, MILTON. Drawings, 1971. .25 lin. ft. |
| Consists of 66 drawings by cartoonist Milton Caniff and short biographies of 67 Aviation Hall of Fame inductees. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-192 | IDDINGS' WRIGHT BROTHERS HOMECOMING COLLECTION. Photographs, 1909. 147 items. |
| Collection consists of 147 photographs, taken by Andrew S. Iddings, of the June 17-18, 1909 Dayton Homecoming Celebration to honor Orville and Wilbur Wright. Search the collection in CORE. | |
| MS-194 | HARRIS, CHARLES. Papers, 1901-1916. .25. lin. ft. |
| Charles Harris was a nephew of Bishop Milton Wright, father of the Wright Brothers. His papers consist of eleven letters written to him by Bishop Wright from 1901 through 1916. Subjects discussed in the correspondence include the Wright's flying experiments and travels to Europe, personalities of the Wright children and grandchildren, miscellaneous family matters, and a description of Wilbur's death and funeral in 1912. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-196 | WELTY, CLAIR WILBUR (1890-1918). Papers, 1905-1920. .5 lin. ft. |
| Welty served in the US Army Signal Corps during World War I and was killed in action just before the war ended in November, 1918. His papers consist of school and military records as well as correspondence to his Ohio family offering condolences after his death. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-203 | CHARLES HUBBEL COLLECTION. Illustrations, 1941-1952. 102 items. |
| Collection includes illustrations of early aircraft drawn by illustrator, Charles Hubbell. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-204 | CHARLES LEWIS AVIATION COLLECTION. Lantern slides and postcards, ca. 1910-1918. |
| A collection of glass lantern slides and postcards containing images of early aircraft up through World War I. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-205 | AVIATION EPHEMERA III. Papers, 1909-1940. .5 lin. ft. |
| Consists of a miscellaneous collection of early aviation materials containing photographs, postcards, early airline schedules, aircraft identification pamphlets, a 1909 French aviation almanac, and a program from the 1910 Harvard- Boston Aero Meet. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-206 | MIAMI VALLEY AERO HISTORIANS. Records, 1962-1965. .5 lin. ft. |
| Records consist of cassette tapes and programs from the meetings of an informal group of aviation historians in the Miami Valley. Meetings and guest speakers addressed various topics of interest pertaining to aviation. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-210 | BALL, ROBERT S. (1911-1961). Papers, 1911-1982. .5 lin. ft. |
| Ball was a newspaper reporter and editor who specialized in space and aviation. He spent the major portion of his career writing for the Detroit Free Press. Papers include news articles pertaining to various aviation subjects, correspondence, an autographed photograph of Amelia Earhart, and fabric from the wing of the first airplane to complete a trans-continental flight (1911). Finding aid available. | |
| MS-214 | HARRIS, HAROLD R. (1897-1989). Papers, 1920-1988. 7.5 lin. ft. |
| Harris was a World War I flyer and test pilot at McCook Field in Dayton during the early 1920's. He later became an executive with Pan American Airlines, American Overseas Airlines, and Northwest Airlines, as well as holding the rank of Colonel in the Army Air Transport Command during World War II. His papers consist of extensive correspondence, both personal and business, travel diaries, reports, newspaper clippings, personal logs detailing his activities and movements, speeches, photographs, and the manuscript of an unpublished book he authored about Pan American Airlines. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-216 | MILLER, IVONETTE WRIGHT. (1896-1995). Papers, 1896-1988. 3.5 lin. ft. |
| Consists of materials about Orville and Wilbur Wright, the Wright Family, and early aviation collected by the Wrights' niece, Ivonette, daughter of Lorin Wright. Collection includes correspondence, newspaper clippings, journal articles, photographs, and memorabilia. Many of the photographs are original prints of pioneer aviators, Wright Family members, and friends. Other papers pertain to the role of Mrs. Miller and her husband, Harold Miller, in representing the Wright Family at various official functions. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-220 | KORN, EDWARD A. (1888-1980). Papers and photographs, 1908-1979. .5 lin. ft. |
| The photographs and papers in this collection document the flying careers of two pioneer aviators, Milton and Edward Korn. The Korn Brothers first flew in 1911 in a monoplane they designed and built on their father's farm in Shelby County, Ohio. They later flew for the Benoist Airplane Company and for the Air Mail Service. The 102 photographs, which cover the years 1908-1916, include images of the Korn Brothers and their family, early airfields and aviators, Benoist aircraft, hydroplanes, and aerial photographs. Miscellaneous papers include newspaper and journal articles about the Korn's and scattered correspondence. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-221 | LAMBERT, WILLIAM C. (1894-1983). Papers, 1917-1939. 1 lin. ft. |
| Papers include correspondence, photographs, drawings, and printed materials pertaining to Lambert's military service as a World War I flyer. Also included is a copy of Lambert's unpublished manuscript relating his combat experiences. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-223 | WILLIAM F. YEAGER AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers and photographs, 1938-1989. 12 lin. ft. |
| Collection consists of primarily of photographs of aircraft. There is also a small amount of personal papers and correspondence relating to Yeager's career as a civilian and military pilot. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-224 | PHILIP EID AVIATION COLLECTION. Photographs, 1918-1967. 55 items. |
| Collection consists of early photographs of Dayton-area flying fields. Included are photographs of McCook Field taken between 1918 and 1927, Wright Field between 1918-1931, Patterson Field for the period 1940-1967, and Fairfield Air Depot Reservation from 1923-1940. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-225 | ART KRIEGER AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers, 1935-1953. .25 lin. ft. |
| Collection consists of 14 published items relating to various aspects of aviation. Included are several pamphlets describing different aircraft and aircraft engines, and aviation handbooks from the 1940's. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-226 | AVIATION EPHEMERA IV. Papers, 1908-1975. .5 lin. ft. |
| Consists of materials relating to aviation, mostly pamphlets and journal articles. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-227 | CURTISS, GLENN. (1878-1930). Photographs, 1910-1924. 299 items. |
| Collection contains photographs once belonging to Glenn Curtiss, world famous aviator and early aircraft designer. The photographs document Curtiss' early aviation involvements and include images of Curtiss and other aviators of the period, aircraft he designed and built, hydroplane experiments, and photographs of the Curtiss factory in Hammondsport, New York. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-241 | WHITTLE, FRANK, SIR. (1907-1996) Papers, 1936-1964. 2 lin. ft. |
| Sir Frank Whittle invented the jet propulsion engine, proposing the use of the gas turbine for jet propulsion in 1928 and patenting his idea in 1930. The first jet aircraft flew in 1941. Whittle's engine technology was shared with the United States government and became the foundation for the American jet aircraft program. The papers in the collection document Whittle's invention of the jet engine and include correspondence, technical and design reports, photographs, charts, and engineering drawings. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-261 | WYEN, ALOYS J. (1889-1985). Papers, 1910-1988. .25 lin. ft. |
| Aloys J. Wyen was an early aviation pioneer associated with the Wright Brothers, first in their bicycle shop in Dayton, and later at Huffman Prairie as a mechanic. He was with them at Belmont Park in 1910, then flew in Los Angeles, California from 1911-1916. He later worked as a mechanic with the WACO Aircraft Company in Troy, Ohio, and Aeronca in Middletown. His papers include family photographs as well as correspondence and photographs documenting his long career in aviation. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-263 | CUSHMAN, HARLAND B. Papers, 1919-1921. .5 lin. ft. |
| Papers consist of letters written to Cushman by his fiance, Stella Klein, who worked at McCook Field from 1919- 1921. Letters contain mostly personal and family information, but also discuss events and people at McCook Field during the period. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-264 | OSBORNE, HERBERT C. (b. 1891). Papers, 1922-1927. .5 lin. ft. |
| Osborne held a variety of engineering positions at McCook Field in Dayton from 1918 until 1924. His papers include diaries covering the years 1922-1923, photographs taken while he was working at McCook, and a few miscellaneous papers about his career up until 1927. The diaries record his daily activities at the field and at home, and the 79 photographs include images of aircraft, dirigibles and individuals. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-274 | GEORG GUNERMAN COLLECTION Photographs, 1918-1936. .5 lin.ft. |
| The Collection consists of one photographic album that depicts Georg Gunerman’s early flying career, parachuting, flight school and barnstorming. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-279 | AMERICAN SOCIETY OF AVIATION ARTISTS COLLECTION Aviation Art, 1929-1996. 1.5 lin.ft. |
| The American Society of Aviation Artists collection consists of nearly 300 separate pieces of aviation art, including posters, paintings, drawings, photographs and aviation magazine covers. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-282 | NEAL LOVING COLLECTION. (1916-1998) Papers, 1930-1990s. 9lin.ft. |
| Neal V. Loving was born in Detroit, Michigan, on February 4, 1916. His passion for aviation began at the early age of ten and never subsided. Neal Loving's life has come to symbolize the true human spirit for he arose out of disastrous life events to become recognized as one of the "African American Pioneers in Aviation." The collection contains papers, photgraphs, and blueprints. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-283 | WILBUR H. MOYER COLLECTION Records, 1937-1938. .5 lin.ft. |
| The collection consists of Stinson Aircraft Company magazines, Aero Industries Technical Institute (AITI) publications, and a brochure concerning the Fairchild 24 aircraft. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-286 | HOWARD DUFOUR COLLECTION (1918-). Papers, 1938-2004. 8 lin.ft. |
| Charlie Taylor designed and built the engine that powered the Wright Brothers’ historic flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, 1903. The collection consists of newspaper clippings, articles, aviation history books, an oral history, personal correspondence, photographs, and Howard Dufour’s drafts of Charlie Taylor: The Wright Brothers Mechanician. The collection also contains materials on DuFours's building of the Wright 1903 Flyer Replica which hangs in Dunbar Library's atrium. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-293 | 91ST OBSERVATION SQUADRON, AMERICAN EXPEDITIONARY FORCE, PHOTOGRAPHS. Photographs, 1918-1919. |
| Contains photographs of the 91st Squadron, hangars and airfields, aerial views of German and French cities and fields, and the banner image of the 91st Squadron. This collection depicts the airmen and operations of the Squadron during the end of World War I and the months following. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-294 | SEYMOUR DUNHAM COLLECTION (1910-1996). Papers, 1889-1990. 22 lin.ft. |
| The Seymour Dunham Collection is a collection of the personal correspondence of Mr. Dunham, aviation organizations to which he belonged, aircraft and missile research, work-related research from his time at Wright-Patterson AFB, and an extensive collection of articles, newspaper clippings and photographs concerning the Wright Brothers and other aspects of aviation history. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-295 | ANN COOPER COLLECTION. Papers, 1900-2002. 32.5 lin.ft. |
| Ann Cooper is a prolific author with over 600 published magazine articles and ten books on aviation notables to her credit. The research collection is an excellent source of information on women aviators such as Jessie Woods, Patty Wagstaff, Edna Gardner Whyte, Dorothy S. Lewis, and Nancy Hopkins Tier, as well as African American aviators including the Tuskegee Airmen. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-297 | CHRISTOPHER JOHN LAKE AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers, 1909-1964. .25 lin.ft. |
| Christopher Lake was an aviation researcher and engineer whose most important aeronautical invention may have been his reaction engine, which was an early form of jet propulsion. The collection includes Lake’s patents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and a letter from Orville Wright. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-302 | LEVITT LUZERN CUSTER . Papers, 1886-1998. 4.5 lin.ft. |
| Levitt Luzern Custer was a Dayton-area aviator and inventor, and an associate of Orville Wright. During his lifetime he engaged in pioneering balloon experiments, served as an official timer for flight trials, collaborated with Orville Wright on various projects, and invented a wide range of mechanical machines from the statoscope to amusement park rides. The collection documents many of Custer's achievements as well as those of other early aviators, such as the Wright Brothers. Information on early aviators such as the Early Birds who flew before 1916 are also preserved. Patents, blueprints, photographs, and correspondence are also a rich source of research. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-303 | ADVISORY COMMITTEE FOR AERONAUTICS: REPORTS AND MEMORANDA. Records, 1916-1938. 4.5 lin.ft. |
| The Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, founded in 1909, was the primary means for scholarly dissemination of British scientific research about aeronautical topics. The committee was primarily governmental in nature, although members and researchers were often drawn from academia. The collection consists of research reports and memoranda. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-305 | W.J. BLANCHARD, AEROPRODUCTS INC. COLLECTION. Records, 1925-1960. 3.5 lin.ft. |
| W. J. Blanchard, an inventor and respected Dayton businessman, co-founded Engineering Products, Inc in 1935, and company was the first to develop a new propeller known as the “aeroprop”. In 1940, General Motors Corporation purchased Engineering Products, renamed the new division Aeroproducts, and instilled Blanchard as its first General Manager. The collection consists of administration records, engineering blueprints, aviation handbooks, and personal materials. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-310 | DAVE GOLD PARACHUTE COLLECTION. Papers, 1917-1985. 103.5 lin.ft. |
| Dave Gold was a leading parachute historian, and actively participated in all aspects of the parachuting business. He owned a parachute business, pursued a jumping career until debilitated by arthritis, was employed as a design engineer, and avidly collected historical and technical materials relating to parachuting. The collection includes personal papers, parachute research and development materials, blueprints, manuals, photographs, videos, newspaper clippings, and magazine articles. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-311 | CURTISS DAY COLLECTION. Papers, 1910s-1960s. .5 lin.ft. |
| Curtiss La Q. Day, an early American aviator, obtained his pilots license at the Wright Brothers School in 1914. He was a flight instructor at several flight schools, including the Wright Flying School at Hempstead Plains, New York. Day was also a member of the Early Birds and his name appears on the Wright Memorial Plaque in Dayton. The collection consists of 79 photographs, 2 letters and a postcard. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-312 | KINNANE, ADRIAN. Papers, 1982. |
| Adrian Kinnane is a researcher and manager for historical projects at History Associates Incorporated. Dr. Kinnane has published works in urban police, a history of the DuPont Company, and the Wright brothers’ invention of the airplane. The collection contains Kinnane’s unpublished manuscript “The Crucible of Flight,” which is an in-depth look at what outside influences helped the Wright Brothers become the first to be successful in the quest for flight. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-316 | TRISSELL, EDMUND. Collection, 1940-1995. 3.5 lin.ft. |
| The Edmund Trissell Collection chronicles the life of Dayton photographer Edmund William Trissell through negatives, photographs, newspaper clippings, and correspondence from Mr. Trissell’s daily life and photographic assignments. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-318 | T.E. BENNETT COLLECTION. (1897-1983) Papers, 1917-1923. .4 lin.ft. |
| The T. E. Bennett Aviation Collection is a small collection of World War I and Post-World War I related documents collected by Mr. Bennett. The collection is divided into two major series, Dayton Aero Club papers and U.S. Army publications. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-321 | ISAP II PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION. photographs, ca. 2000. 37 photographs |
| The International Symposium of Aviation Photographers 3rd Annual Meeting (ISAP II) Photograph Collection is a collection of aviation photographs taken by twelve members of the International Society of Aviation Photographers. The photographs document a variety of subjects including wing walking, World War II aircraft, modern military aircraft, modern commercial aircraft, and missiles. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-326 | INA BICKNELL COLLECTION. (1933-1947) Papers, 1933-1947. .5lin.ft. |
| The Ina Bicknell collection consists of photographs relating to aviation. The photographs in this collection relate to topics such as pilots, airplanes, naval ships, and military personnel around the time of World War II. The collection also contains aerial photographs of city landscapes and of the 1937 flood in southwest Ohio and Kentucky. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-333 | THE HUFFMAN PRAIRIE AVIATION HISTORY SOCIETY RECORDS. Records, 1990-present. 1.5lin.ft. |
| The Huffman Prairie Aviation History Society is a Dayton area organization of aviation historians and enthusiasts. MS-333 consists of meeting announcements, newsletters, correspondence, minutes, transcripts and videotapes of program speakers, membership lists and member biographies . Finding aid available. | |
| MS-335 | VON OHAIN, HANS. Papers, 1907-2003. 11 lin. ft. |
| Contains patents, correspondence, speeches, technical reports, scientific articles, awards and photographs. Dr. Hans von Ohian is the co-inventor of the first successful jet engine. Some documents are in German and a smaller amount of materials are in French, but the majority of the collection is in English. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-338 | HARVARD-BOSTON AERO MEET COLLECTION. Collection, 1910-1997. 6 lin.ft. |
| The collection consist of glass plate negatives, lantern slides, and photographs of pictures taken by Anthony Philpott editor of the Boston Globe. Of particular interest are copies of newspaper clippings from 1910 and 1911 about the meets, as well as pictures of Wilbur Wright, Boston Mayor John F. Fitzgerald, President William H. Taft, Claude Grahame-White, Glenn Curtiss, and other distinguished people from that time period. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-345 | MILLER, JOHN WILLIAM (1916-2005). Papers, 1930-2005 (bulk 1950-1960s). 13 lin.ft. |
| This collection documents the testing and development of aircraft engines, helicopter transmissions, and other subsystem components, through Miller's life and career as an engineer and civil expert on the jet engine at Wright Patterson Air Force Base from 1941 to 1976. The collection includes engineering and technical reference materials, technical reports and notes, project reports, photographs and posters. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-347 | FRAMME, RICHARD JOSEPH (1905-). Papers, 1929-1973 (bulk 1940s-1950s). 3 lin.ft. |
| The collection includes photographs, organization charts, research notebooks, research data, patent material, biographical information, blueprints and diagrams. Most items are technical reports or material related to Richard Framme’s professional affiliation as an engineer with Wright Patterson Air Force Base. The papers date from 1929 - 1973. The bulk of the collection is dated between the 1940s-1950s. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-348 | WILLIAM PRESTON MAYFIELD PHOTOGRAPH - EGBERT. Collection, 1910-1960. 3.5 lin.ft. |
| This collection visually documents early flight history in Dayton as well as the larger impact of the first flights on America and the world. It also contains vivid photographs of the growth of the city of Dayton and the homes in the area, as well as a vast collection of aerials showing Columbus, Ohio. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-350 | QUARTER CENTURY CLUB. Records, 1946-1999 (Bulk 1960s-1980s). 8 lin.ft. |
| The collection includes correspondence, photographs, scrapbooks, financial records, membership lists, administrative documents and obituaries. Members were civilian or military personnel in an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense for at least 25 years and worked for a portion of that time at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The Club was formed to facilitate social activity among its members and to inspire younger employees to continue their work as public servants. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-351 | WRIGHT MEMORIAL CHAPTER, AIR FORCE ASSOCIATION. Records, 1953-2007. 16 lin.ft. |
| This collection documents a civilian aerospace organization that promotes public understanding of aerospace power and national defense. The collection includes newspaper clippings, magazines, awards, correspondence, meeting minutes, national, regional, and state conference materials, community events, photographs, certificates, reports, financial records, and general Air Force information. Most items deal with events and overall activities of the Wright Memorial Chapter. Several items in the collection relate to the AFA National Organization and to the US Air Force’s relation to national and international events. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-353 | ROBERT L. CAVANAGH AVIATION COLLECTION. Papers, 1917-2000. 40 lin.ft. |
| Robert Cavanagh was a well-known aviation historian and authority on aircrafts of the First World War and the 1920s. The collection is comprised of photographs, negatives, film, slides, correspondence, books and journals, research files, new clippings, and albums. Of particular note is Mr. Cavanagh’s extensive information on the P-12. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-355 | CHARLES WALD. Collection, 1910-1916. 6 lin.ft. |
| This collection documents the training of an early American aviator at the Wright School of aviation, as well as the Wright Company’s early involvement in water-based aviation. The collection includes a flight diary and logs written by Charles Wald in 1912 and negatives taken by Wald. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-356 | CURTISS-WRIGHT AERONAUTICAL ENGINE DRAWING. Collection, 1937-1969. Over 50,000 drawings. |
| The Curtiss-Wright Aeronautical Engine Drawing Collection is an unprocessed collection of over 50,000 aircraft engine part and power system drawings produced by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation. Access Information. | |
| MS-359 | K.S. "SLIM" LINDSAY "QUIET BIRDMEN" COLLECTION. Collection, 1930s-2007. 1 lin.ft. |
| The collection consists of one leather-bound book containing 640 photographs of “Quiet Birdmen” members. Included are photographs of such pilots as H.H. “Jimmie” Doolittle, E. E. “Pop” Cleveland, Roscoe Turner, Walter R. Brookins, Wiley Post, E.V. “Eddie” Rickenbacker, and C.A. “Slim” Lindbergh. Also in the collection are several photographs and biographical information about Mr. Lindsay. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-362 | DR. RICHARD E. THOMAS. Collection, 1921-2006 (bulk 1970s-1990s). 16 lin.ft. |
| This collection documents U.S. intelligence on the strategic and technological position of the Soviet Union and other important regions during the Cold War.Included are reports on Soviet military issues produced by the Center for Strategic Technology at Texas A&M University, as well as a variety of documents pertaining to the Cold War acquired from other sources; microfiche of translated reports and journals pertinent to the Cold War; and microfilm of a Soviet military journal. These materials were acquired by Dr. Thomas during his tenure as Head of the Center for Strategic Technology, and a number of the reports were written by him. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-365 | P.H. RICHARDSON - WRIGHT FIELD PHOTOGRAPHS. Collection, 1945. 1 lin.ft. (172 photographs) |
| The P.H. Richardson Wright Field Photograph Collection features numerous black and white photos of aircraft and aircraft engines that were featured on display for the Armed Forces Day Celebration at Wright Field in October, 1945. Included are several detailed photos of the only Fairchild Ranger powered XAT-6 E built and several photographs pertaining to Luftwaffe aircraft that were captured in Operation Lusty and brought to Wright Field for testing. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-370 | HUGH S. LIPPMAN (1902-1989). Papers, 1923-1967, 1989. 4.5 lin.ft. |
| The collection contains biographical and career information about Mr. Lippman, a civilian aircraft engineer at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Included is business correspondence; technical reports from Materiel Division, Aeronautical Systems Division, and the Aircraft Laboratory; staff rosters and flow charts for Wright-Patterson Air Force Base; records from litigation cases involving aircraft component patents; correspondence between the Dayton-Wright Company and the Manufacturers Aircraft Association, and photographs from McCook and Wright Fields. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-372 | STERLING SMELTZER CURTISS-WRIGHT AIRPLANE DIVISION COLLECTION. Collection, 1918-1950 (bulk 1930-1950). .75 lin.ft. |
| Collected by an employee of the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, the collection includes handbooks, brochures, files from Curtiss-Wright's Engineering Department, blueprints, photographs, and other published materials.The collection documents early aviation advertising, the development of reference materials for the maintenance of airplanes, and the Curtiss-Wright Engineering Department. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-377 | MAJOR BLANTON NASA PATCH COLLECTION. Collection, 1981-1995, 2002. 1 lin.ft. (over 280 patches). |
| The greater portion of the collection relates to space shuttle missions. The breadth of the mission patches runs from the beginning of the space shuttle program with Space Transport System, STS-1 in April, 1981 and ending with STS-63 in February of 1995. As well, there is the mission patch for STS-110 of April, 2002. The remaining series in the collection contain other space related patches, military patches, and a number of novelty patches, many pertaining to aircraft and Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-381 | DON ROETMAN PAPERS. Papers, 1928-2008 (bulk 1960s-1970s). 1.5 lin.ft. |
| The Don Roetman Papers are a collection of materials primarily concerning helicopters. The collection includes materials concerning various helicopter and aircraft projects from his career, as well as a substantial amount of corporate materials from various helicopter companies. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-388 | JAMES R. SHOCK AIRSHIP COLLECTION. Collection, 1908-2005 (bulk 1994-1999). 2 lin.ft. |
| The collection covers a broad history of airships, from the late nineteenth century endeavors of American and German aviation pioneers to corporate advertising blimps of the 1990s. James Shock has written five books pertaining to airships, four of which are included in the collection. There is also some material pertaining to hot air balloon research and world record attempts. Finding aid available. | |
| MS-389 | RANDLE H. EGBERT AVIATION PAPERS. Papers, 1908-2004. 1.5 lin.ft. |
| The Randle H. Egbert Aviation Papers consist of journals, news and periodical clippings, and memorabilia related to the Wright Brothers and early aviation. Finding aid available. | |
| SC-36 | HAMBURGER, FRANK. Papers, 1904-1931. 19 items. |
| Frank Hamburger was a friend and neighbor of the Wright Brothers. Included in this collection are photographs of the Hamburger Family and their hardware store, which was next door to the Wright Cycle Shop on West Third Street; clippings about the Wrights; and correspondence with an individual who was an eye-witness to the first circle flight made by Orville Wright on October 3, 1905. | |
| SC-37 | MOREO, JEAN. Papers, 1942-1977. 5 items. |
| Papers include photographs and a newsclipping concerning the Women's Air Force Service Pilots (WASPS) during World War II. | |
| SC-45 | WRIGHT-GLASS FAMILY LETTERS. Papers, 1892-1906. 19 items. |
| Consists of letters exchanged between Bishop Milton Wright and his cousin, Flora R. Glass. Subjects discussed include family matters, daily activities, church projects, and genealogy. Finding aid available. | |
| SC-47 | WRIGHT, ORVILLE (1871-1948). Letters, 1918, 1925. 2 items. |
| Photocopies of two letters written by Orville Wright, one to Karl Kimball, a Dayton member of the Ohio Legislature concerning local school board matters. The other to the Dayton City Manager concerning the Dayton Engineer's Club. | |
| SC-49 | WRIGHT, SUSAN KOERNER (1831-1889). Photograph, undated. 1 item. |
| An original tintype of Susan K. Wright, mother of the Wright Brothers. | |
| SC-57 | WILBUR WRIGHT IN FRANCE. Clippings, 1908. 13 items. |
| A collection of photocopied articles from French newspapers concerning Wilbur Wright when he was in France in the Fall of 1908. | |
| SC-58 | GLEN OSBORN WRIGHT BROTHERS COLLECTION. Papers, 1889-1909. 6 items. |
| Consists of a copy of the West Side News, March 30, 1889, 2 postcards signed by Katherine Wright, a receipt from the Wright Cycle Company, and 1 reel of film, "History of Flight." | |
| SC-69 | WRIGHT, WILBUR (1867-1912). Letter, 1904. 1 item. |
| Letter written by Wilbur Wright to a New York publisher discussing early newspaper accounts of the 1903 flights at Kitty Hawk. | |
| SC-70 | WRIGHT, HORACE (1901-1990). Papers, ca. 1980. 1 item. |
| Handwritten reminiscence by Horace Wright, nephew of the Wright Brothers, titled, "Early Memories." Horace describes visits to the Wright Cycle Company as a young boy and early flying experiments by his uncles. | |
| SC-72 | LINDBERGH, CHARLES A. AND ANNE MORROW. Autograph, 1934. 1 item. |
| Copy of a September, 1934, issue of National Geographic Magazine autographed by both Lindberghs. | |
| SC-75 | COLEMAN, BESSIE. Photographs, ca. 1920. 2 items. |
| Consists of 2 photographs of Bessie Coleman, an early Black woman who was an aviator. | |
| SC-76 | "EARLY FLIGHT" EXHIBIT CATALOGUE. Papers, 1984. 1 item. |
| Copy of the catalogue from the Smithsonian Sites exhibit of Wright Brother Photographs titled, "Early Flight." | |
| SC-78 | RANDOLPH, EDWARD. Photographs, ca. 1910. 10 items. |
| Photographs of Randolph and several other students who were taking flying lessons at the Wright Flying School in Dayton. Six images are original prints. | |
| SC-79 | TEN DAYTON BOYS CLUB. Records, 1888. 1 item. |
| A photocopy of the minutes from the 1888 meeting of the Ten Dayton Boys Club, an organization of boyhood friends that met yearly. Wilbur Wright and his two brothers, Reuchlin and Lorin, were members. | |
| SC-90 | PENNSYLVANIA AIRLINE COMPANY. Records, ca. 1920. 1 folder. |
| A prospectus for the formation of the Pennsylvania Airline Company outlining potential routes, equipment, plans, personnel and expenses. | |
| SC-91 | GLENN L. MARTIN COMPANY. Records, 1917. 1 folder. |
| Several accounting sheets showing assets and liabilities for an airline company. | |
| SC-95 | CURTISS FLYING SERVICE . Records, 1928. 1 volume. |
| Bound volume containing the ground course for training pilots at the Curtiss Flying Service. | |
| SC-97 | BECK, AGNES. Papers, 1908-1929. 8 items. |
| Collection consists of letters written by Katharine Wright to her friend, Agnes Beck. The letters discuss Wilbur and Orville Wright, their flights, the Wright Family, and other personal matters. Of particular interest is the letter of September 22, 1908 which describes Orville's crash at Fort Meyer and his convalescence. Finding aid available. | |
| SC-98 | REPORT OF INSPECTION OF THE AIR SERVICE ENGIN. DIV., MCCOOK FIELD. Records, 1923. 1 volume. |
| Photocopy of a 1923 engineering inspection report by Gen. Billy Mitchell for McCook Field in Dayton. | |
| SC-99 | WEYMOUTH, ALVIN L. Papers, 1925. 1 item. |
| Aviator's certificate for the Federation Aeronautique Internationale signed by Orville Wright. | |
| SC-101 | WALD, QUENTIN. Papers, 1912. 1 folder. |
| Papers include photocopies of Wald's diary and flight log covering April-June, 1912, when he flew for the Wright Company at Simms Station. | |
| SC-119 | LEBAUDY AIRSHIP. Records, 1903. 1 folder. |
| This small collection consists of 26 different black and white, photographic postcards documenting the several flights of the "Lebaudy" airship in and around the Champ de Mars, Paris in November, 1903. The airship was moored in the hall of machinery building left over from the 1900 Paris Exposition at the Champ de Mars, near the Eiffel Tower. There is thus considerable visual documentation of the grounds of the Exposition. The pilot, M. Juchmes, and mechanic, M. Rey, are also pictured. Finding aid available. | |
| SC-150 | DAYTON WRIGHT COMPANY RECORD OF EMPLOYEES. Records, 1922-1924. 1 folder. |
| The collection consists of seven Dayton-Wright Company "Record of Employee" envelopes spanning the period 1922 to 1924. Each envelope provides the following information: name of the employee, address, marital status, age, person to notify in case of emergency, date of employment, department assigned, foreman of the department, rate of pay, and class of work. Inside the envelope are pay slips and other information about the employee, including the reason for termination. Finding aid available. | |
| MFM-1 | WRIGHT, ORVILLE (1871-1948) AND WILBUR (1867-1912). Papers, 1800-1948. 15 reels. |
| Microfilm copies of the Wright Brothers papers in the Library of Congress collection. Included are notebooks, diaries, scrapbooks, and selected correspondence. Published guide available. | |
| MFM-117 | HASKELL, KATHARINE WRIGHT (1874-1929). Papers, 1922-1928. 2 reels. |
| Papers consist mainly of correspondence from Katharine Wright to her future husband, Henry J. Haskell. Letters cover a variety of personal matters including the opposition to her impending marriage by her brother, Orville Wright. Other subjects discussed include Oberlin College, the Kansas City Star, the Wright patent challenge, and Katharine's ideas about women's rights. Finding aid is included. | |
Special Collections & Archives Department
Wright State University Libraries
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, Ohio - 45435
Phone: (937)775-2092, FAX (937) 775-4109
Please send comments to the Web Team
Last updated Fri. Jun-19-09 Copyright Information © 2005
Wright State University Libraries
3640 Colonel Glenn Highway Dayton, Ohio - 45435
Phone: (937)775-2092, FAX (937) 775-4109
Please send comments to the Web Team
Last updated Fri. Jun-19-09 Copyright Information © 2005