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Henry Lowe Brownback, the grandson of T. S. Lowe, was born in June 1891 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. In 1912, he received his pilot's license and later received a Masters degree from Cornell University. He went on to work at various motor and engine companies, and eventually became the vice president of the Brownback Motor Laboratories in Norristown, Pennsylvania. From 1925-1929, Brownback was in France, working with Allessandro Anzani. Throughout his life, Brownback held several different occupations including chief machine gun instructor at Cornell University. He also worked as a consulting engineer. Brownback has designed and built many successful airplane engines, and holds patents for airplane engine bearings.

Identifier

NASM.1997.0069

Creator

Brownback, Henry Lowe.

Date

bulk 1934-1946

Provenance

Mrs. Ernst Hain, Gift, 1997

Extent

0.23 Cubic feet ((1 box))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

his collection consists of photographs, correspondence, brochures and advertisements concerning Brownback Motor Laboratories, Inc. Included here is information on airplane, marine, and automotive motors. Correspondence with and advertisements for the following companies are included: Light Manufacturing and Foundry Company (Tiger Aircraft Engine Division); Auto Engine Works, Inc. (manufacturers of Capitol marine motors); Anzani Aviation Engines; and Hall-Scott Motor Car Company, Inc. Correspondence with Maurice Vasseur, a French motor boat racing champion and manufacturer of airplane propellers is also included in this collection. A Supplementary Instruction Book for the Type A7-a Airplane Engine, an article from Les Ailes May 18, 1946, and the 1938 report of the United States National Museum are included as well. Information on the following engines is included: Hall-Scott A-7-A four cylinder, Tiger, Tiger Junior, Tiger Kitten, Premier Motor, Shark Marine Engines, Lycoming Marine Engines, and six cylinder Aero Motors. Also present in this collection is Brownback's patent application for "Method of Making Bearings, and Product."

Rights

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

Restrictions

No restrictions on access.

Citation

Brownback Motor Laboratories, Inc. Collection, Accession number 1997-0069, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics

Propulsion systems

Hall-Scott A-7A 4-Cylinder Inline

Brownback Tiger C-400

Brownback Tiger Junion 4-Cyclinder Opposed

Brownback Tiger Kitten 2-Cylinder Inline (Model 20)

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Photographs

Brochures

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