A.E. Hunt's 'aeroplane' that never flew used principles involved in today's whirlies
Creator: Wichita Eagle
Date: January 8, 1956
This article published in the the Wichita Eagle deals with the accomplishments of early aviation enthusiast A.E. Hunt. Hunt, of Jetmore, Kansas, built a flying machine in 1910 containing design elements that would later be refined and used in some of the world's first helicopters. In fact, the article compares the features found on Hunt's rotary aircraft to a Cessna CH-1 helicopter in order to demonstrate the similarities between the basic elements of each craft's design.

Aeroplane stabilizing mechanism
Date: November 11, 1919
This patent drawing and description depicts and describes Frank Dove's Aeroplance Stabilizing Mechanism. Dove, a resident of Topeka, Kansas, who worked with Albin Longren, applied for the patent on February 6, 1918, and the patent itself was issued on November 11, 1919. Dove's mechanism provided increased control and helped stabilize airplanes in flight.

Albin Longren's first airplane
Date: November 25, 1911
View of Albin Longren's first airplane in Winfield, Kansas.

Biggest land transport
Creator: Boeing Airplane Company
Date: 1944
This article, published in the November 1944 edition of the Boeing Magazine, details the development of the Boeing 377 airliner. Produced at the end of World War II, the 377 Stratocruiser owed its development to the success of earlier Boeing airplanes, such as the B-29.

Clyde Cessna
Date: 1916
Clyde Cessna and his 1916 airplane, the first Cessna aircraft built in Wichita, Kansas. This photo was taken at Beaver, Oklahoma, with part of the Beaver Boosters.

Clyde Cessna
Date: Between 1917 and 1920
A photograph of Clyde Vernon Cessna, 1879-1954, inside a Comet airplane. Cessna was an aviation pioneer and founder of the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas.

Feature of show
Creator: Topeka Journal
Date: May 15, 1912
This article covers the excitement generated by H.W. Jacobs's Multiplane at the 1912 New York Aero Show in New York City. Jacobs, assistant superintendent of motive power of the Santa Fe railroad in Topeka, built the four-winged Multiplane in his spare time. Although underpowered, Jacobs's design was airworthy and aircraft with more than two wings were used with great success during World War I.

Flying machine, Goodland, Kansas
Date: Around 1910
This photograph shows the Goodland flying machine, a forerunner of the helicopter, designed and patented by William Purvis and Charles Wilson of Goodland, Kansas. Purvis and Wilson built the ship about 1910. The engine was apparently too small and the machine never flew.

Fuselage
Date: April 10, 1922-June 16, 1925
The patent, #1,541,976, depicts and describes Albin Longren's method of Fuselage construction circa 1922. Longren's goal was to construct an airplane body that was not only lightweight, but also durable in order to withstand the stresses related to powered flight. As illustrated in the drawing and described in the text of the patent, Longren's method of constructing a sturdier fuselage relies upon the use of ribbing along the entire length of the fuselage to provide increased rigidity and durability.

Goodland men built pioneer helicopter
Creator: Salina Journal
Date: September 22, 1977
This article, published in the Salina Journal covers the achievements of William J. Purvis and Charles A. Wilson. In 1909, Purvis and Wilson, both Goodland, Kansas, railroad mechanics, built a precursor to the helicopter in their spare time. Although their experiments were less than successful, the U.S. government granted Purvis and Wilson a patent for their rotary-winged design.

H.L. Call's airship built in Girard, Kansas
Date: 1908
This postcard shows Henry Laurens Call's airship in 1908 outside its hangar in Girard, Kansas.

Jacobs Multiplane
Date: Between 1910 and 1912.
This rendering of H.W. Jacob's Multiplane provides a detailed view of the aircraft's construction, as well as its size. Built between 1910 and 1912, Jacobs's Multiplane received national attention at the 1912 New York Aero Show.

Laird Swallows
Date: Between 1920 and 1925
A view of four new Laird Swallow airplanes parked in a field at 29th and Hillside Streets in Wichita, Kansas. Designed by aviation pioneer Emil Matthew "Matty" Laird, 1886-1982, the first Swallow was built for the commercial market in 1920 by Laird Swallow Manufacturing Company of Wichita.

The grass roots would soar
Creator: Kansas City Star
Date: December 28, 1909
This article from the Kansas City Star newspaper covers the early aviation experiments of Charles A. Wilson and William J. Purvis of Goodland, Kansas. The article explains the type of machine Wilson and Purvis were building, as well as the materials used in its construction. In particular, the article accurately points out that the Wilson and Purvis machine was more of a gyro-copter than a true airplane. While their gyro-plane proved to be less than successful, their design represented an important first step toward the development of the helicopter.

The Hunt Rotary Aeroplane at Jetmore, Kansas
Date: 1910
This photograph shows A.E. Hunt's Rotary Aeroplane which was built in Jetmore, Kansas, during 1910. While Hunt's aircraft proved to be unsuitable for powered flight due its significant weight, it was an important step toward the development of the helicopter.

To buffet Kansas breezes
Creator: Kansas City Star
Date: February 19, 1910
This article details the construction of the Prairie Eagle, a monoplane airplane, by Luxembourg-born inventor Jacques V. Mueller of Dorrance, Kansas. In addition, the article details the material used to construct the Prairie Eagle, as well as its weight and probable capabilities.

Travel Air Mystery "S" - Model R
Creator: Beech Aircraft Corporation
Date: 1929
This photograph shows a Travel Air Company Mystery S - Model R. Built in 1929, the Mystery S was a racing airplane designed for performance rather than comfort. The Mystery S was important because it was a decade ahead of its contemporary's in speed and maneuverability.