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. Gustaf Baeckström in Stockholm, Sweden.
Pendleton acknowledges Baeckstrom’s letters of August 4th and Sept. 3rd with enclosures; He welcomes Miss Pamp into the General Church. Pendleton informs Baeckstrom that Mr. and Mrs. George de Charms and Harold and Clara Pitcairn have had to cancel the Sweden leg of their trip to Europe. Pendleton is sorry to hear that Baeckstrom was unable to attend the British Assembly due to illness. Pendleton is told the...
Dates:
1923-09-20
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 Apr. 11th, in which he was glad to read that Miss (Senta) Centervall’s absence from the Stockholm Society is only temporary. Mr. and Mrs. George de Charms have sailed for Europe for the British Assembly, after which they will travel with Harold and Clara Pitcairn to Stockholm. Pendleton has heard that Baeckstrom may attend the British Assembly, in which case,...
Dates:
1923-07-10
Item
Identifier: RG.004.01
Scope and Contents
Typed letter from N.D. Pendleton's secretary, Freda Pendleton, to Rev. Fred E. Gyllenhaal.
F. Pendleton acknowledges Gyllenhaal’s last two letters, and she thanks him for the updated membership lists he sent. She hopes he will not work too hard during the British Assembly. F. Pendleton was sorry Gyllenhaal was not able to attend the Glenview General Assembly; Her father (W.F. Pendleton) and mother were also unable to attend due to illness and old age. F. Pendleton thanks Gyllenhaal and his...
Dates:
1890 - 1937
