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National Air and Space Museum Archives
Lawrence Burst Sperry Passport
Summary
- Collection ID:
- NASM.XXXX.1181
- Creators:
-
United States. Department of State
- Dates:
-
1915-1916
- Languages:
-
English.
- Physical Description:
-
0.05 Cubic feet1 folder
- Repository:
Lawrence Burst Sperry (1892-1923) was a pilot and inventor who is best known for creating the first autopilot and artificial horizon, as well as other aircraft instruments and developing landing gear for use on flying boats. This collection consists of a passport issued to Lawrence Burst Sperry by the US Department of State.
Scope and Contents
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of a passport issued to Lawrence Burst Sperry by the US Department of State, dated September 1915 and numbered 7201. The passport has fold lines and measures approximately 12 by 17 inches unfolded. The passport lists Sperry's intention to travel to England, France, and Italy for the purpose of "testing aeroplane devices." At the top left corner is a small (2.75 by 3 inches) head and shoulders portrait of Sperry and his signature. The document includes a physical description of Sperry; a red Department of State seal which has had a piece removed; stamps and marks of various consulates in the countries listed; as well as an amendment permitting Sperry to travel to Switzerland, "for health." The stamps are dated 1915 through 1916.
Arrangement
Arrangement
Collection is in original order.
Biographical / Historical
Biographical / Historical
Lawrence Burst Sperry (1892-1923) was a pilot and inventor who is best known for creating the first autopilot and artificial horizon, as well as other aircraft instruments and developing landing gear for use on flying boats. Sperry had over 20 patents to his name and also served as a flight instructor in the US Navy during World War I. Sperry was killed in 1923 when a plane he was piloting went down over the English Channel.
Administration
Author
Jessamyn Lloyd
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Unknown, Found in Collection, NASM.XXXX.1181
Processing Information
Arranged and described (2015) and encoded (2020) by Jessamyn Lloyd.
Digital Content
Using the Collection
Conditions Governing Use
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access.
Preferred Citation
Lawrence Burst Sperry Passport, NASM.XXXX.1181, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Keywords
Keyword Terms | Keyword Types | ||
---|---|---|---|
Aeronautics | Topical | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Passports | Genre Form | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
Sperry, Lawrence Burst | Personal Name | Search Smithsonian Collections | Search ArchiveGrid |
National Air and Space Museum Archives
14390 Air & Space Museum Parkway
Chantilly, VA 20151
NASMRefDesk@si.edu