Fri, Aug 07, 2009
Includes Never-Seen Letters Documenting Important Stages in
Aviation History
On those days when the weather keeps us on the ground sometimes
the best thing to do is to get lost in a good book. Just published
by Bryn Athyn College Press is 'Harold F. Pitcairn: Aviator,
Inventor, and Developer of the Autogiro', the story of aviation
pioneer Harold F. Pitcairn, 1897-1960.
The developer of the Pitcairn Mailwing plane, as well as one of
the first commercial airlines which later became known
as Eastern, Pitcairn is best known for his role in developing
the autogiro, precursor of the helicopter. For this achievement, he
received the Collier Award in 1931 from President Herbert Hoover on
the lawn of the White House.
This fascinating story of hard work, risk-taking, and incredible
personal integrity is told through the detailed letters that Harold
Pitcairn wrote to his colleagues, partners, and business
acquaintances. They demonstrate qualities of the man and details of
the period that create an insightful glimpse into a period of
aviation history that has never been so carefully described.
The book includes letters from Orville Wright, Jimmy
Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, Tony Fokker, Amelia Earhart and many
others who helped establish the air transportation system. It
provides essential research for aviation historians as well as a
compelling story for general readers who can learn much about
Pitcairn's sense of ethics and service that he learned through his
family's deep involvement with the writings of Emanuel Swedenborg,
a Christian theologian of the eighteenth century who emphasized the
importance of good works.
The author, Carl Gunther, knew Harold Pitcairn and was requested
by the family to compile these important documents. Gunther
received an MA in teaching from the University of Pittsburgh and
has worked as educator, archivist, and aviation researcher for over
fifty years.
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