Emile Berliner (1851-1929) was an inventor best known today for his innovative helicopter designs. He began experimentation with rocket propulsion as early as 1903 and began exploring the possibilities of vertical flight shortly thereafter. After his service in World War I, Emile's son Henry Adler Berliner (1895-?) joined his father in his helicopter experiments. During the early nineteen-twenties, the Berliners produced several helicopter designs. Henry Berliner later became involved in the development of fixed-wing aircraft and in 1929 joined with Temple-Joyce to form Berliner-Joyce.

NASM.XXXX.0247

Berliner, Henry Adler

1892-1925

Col. Henry Berliner, gift, XXXX-0247, NASM

0.42 Linear feet

No restrictions on access

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Photographs

Scrapbooks

This collection consists of two scrapbooks and several folders of correspondence, bills and accounting information involving early attempts to develop a flying machine, the flights of the Langley Aerodrome, and the flights of the Wright Brothers at Fort Myer in 1904 and 1908. Covered in detail are the unsuccessful attempts of Emile Berliner and his son Henry to construct a helicopter capable of stable, controllable, forward flight. Also covered is helicopter development in Europe during the same period.

Correspondence

Manuscripts

Photographs

Scrapbooks

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Berliner-Joynce Aircraft Corp

Berliner, Emile, 1851-1929

Berliner, Henry Adler

Wright, Orville, 1871-1948

Wright, Wilbur, 1867-1912

National Air and Space Museum Archives