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Pitcairn, Harold Frederick (Harold F. Pitcairn)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1897 - 1960

Biography

Harold Frederick Pitcairn (1897–1960) was an American aviation inventor and pioneer. He played a key role in the development of the autogyro and founded the Autogiro Company of America. He patented a number of innovations relating to rotary wing aircraft. He was born on June 20, 1897 in Hawthorne, Iowa.[1]

Pitcairn's start in aviation was as an apprentice at Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company[2] He attended the Curtiss Flying School in Newport News in 1916.[3]

Pitcairn founded Pitcairn Aviation (later to become Eastern Airlines), and Pitcairn Aircraft Company which manufactured efficient airmail biplanes, and autogyros. He bought the right to license Juan de la Ciervas patents for the United States for $300,000 in 1929.[4]

He was awarded the Collier Trophy in 1930 for development of the autogyro.[5] USA President Hoover awarded the trophy on the lawn of the White House in 1931, where a Pitcairn PCA-2 landed as the first aircraft ever. Citation: Wikipedia contributors, "Harold Frederick Pitcairn," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Harold_Frederick_Pitcairn&oldid=659850997 (accessed November 9, 2015).

On April 24, 1960 he was found dead at his home in Philadelphia. A New York times article reported that he committed suicide after a party for his brother, Raymond. No reason was ever uncovered.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

John Pitcairn with Children, 1900

 Item
Identifier: JGP0028
Scope and Contents From the c04: Photographs or photographs of drawings/paintings of John Pitcairn and his family and friends. The images are divided into two boxes, each containing large envelopes (folders). They are arranged as follows: Box 1: File 1 - John Pitcairn Images at various ages. Includes, engravings, photographs and prints. File 2 - Pictures of two Pitcairn children (Vera & Harold). File 3 - Pictures of John and/or Gertrude (or other friends/relatives) with the children (Raymond, Vera, Theodore,...
Dates: 1900
Found in: Bryn Athyn Historic District Archives at Glencairn Museum / Mss.001, John & Gertrude Pitcairn Papers / Photographs / John Pitcairn & Family / Parents & Children

Letter from N.D. Pendleton to Rev. Gustaf Baeckström, 1920-01-12

 Item
Identifier: RG.004.01
Scope and Contents Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton to Rev. Gustaf Baeckström in Stockholm, Sweden. Pendleton acknowledges Baeckstrom’s letter of Dec. 10th. Pendleton is glad to hear of Baeckstrom’s missionary success with lectures and book sales, but he writes that if the work becomes too much for Baeckstrom, it is more important to focus on building up permanent church centers. Pendleton will take the matter of financial aid to the Extension Committee. Pendleton has read a translation of the article on the...
Dates: 1920-01-12
Found in: Academy of the New Church Archives / RG.004, General Church of the New Jerusalem / Office of the Bishop / Nathaniel D. Pendleton / Correspondence From N.D. Pendleton

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