Scope and Contents note
This material consists of information from a number of different businesses related to the manufacture, development and design of airplanes and other aircraft. There is also a substantial amount of material from airline companies and from companies involved in the manufacture and production of aeronautical parts and supplies. A number of these companies were involved in manufacturing engines and were automobile manufacturers. Other parts and supplies include aircraft measuring instruments, radiators, wings, tires, carburetors, and fabric. These companies tend to have catalogues of the aircraft that they manufacture including information on controls, wheel retraction, fuel system, cabin construction, etc. The aircraft is manufactured for commercial, military, sporting and personal use. A small amount of material concerning companies involved in aerial advertising, aerial photography and map making is included. There is also information on businesses that served as agents for people who performed acts relating to aviation particularly at amusement parks and fairs. There is very little information from clubs, associations and training schools.
The material consists primarily of scattered correspondence on letterhead stationery, printed advertisements, articles, catalogues, menus from airline companies, luggage tags, timetables,postcards, lithographs,photographs, company publications, bulletins, newspaper clippings, early advertisements, reports, periodicals, pamphlets, patents, and books. There is a substantial amount of images including photographs and lithographs of airplanes, airships and balloons. A file of visual references was made by staff consisting of images of aircraft used by companies to advertise their products. There is also information on Lindbergh and Byrd mainly articles, photographs or programs honoring them.
Publications relating to aviation include topics such as aeronautical occupations, linking rail and air transportation, problems with improving aircraft, airplanes in warfare, aircraft safety and a chronology of the development and utilization of aircraft.
