Dates
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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Item
Identifier: RG.004.01
Scope and Contents
Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton to Rev. Eldred Edward Iungerich in Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
Pendleton was relieved to hear the results of the petition in the Pittsburgh society and to know that “A. L. etc.” (Alex P. Lindsay?) would have nothing to do with it. Pendleton hopes there will be no further attempts, and he does not plan to mention the matter to the Consistory. Pendleton is distressed by the sate of the Church in France; Although they have given Mrs. Hussenet a small pension, the...
Dates:
1934-02-13
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
Item
Identifier: RG.004.01
Scope and Contents
Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton to Rev. Willard D. Pendleton in Aspinwall, PA, USA.
Pendleton apologizes for this brief acknowledgement of Willard’s congratulations on his (Pendleton’s) 70th birthday. Pendleton received many such congratulations, and he was particularly moved by the effort put into the birthday celebrations by Raymond, Mildred, Harold, and Clara. Pendleton has written to Alex P. Lindsay in response to the Pittsburgh Pastoral Council’s request for an assistant pastor. Norman...
Dates:
1935-02-21
