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George Blair Harrison (1873-1930) was a pioneer aeronaut and businessman. Following graduation by Washburn College and University of Michigan, he entered the business world, working as a newspaperman (1898-1903, 1908-15), for the St.Louis World's Fair (1903-05), in printing and lithography (1905-07), and in the motion picture industry (1915-17). During this time he earned Federation Aeronautique International (FAI) Balloon certificate 32, becoming the first licensed balloon pilot west of St.Louis. In January 1910 he helped organize the first U.S. International air meet, at Dominquez Field, Los Angeles. He was also associated briefly with Wright Airplane Co (1910) and Glenn L. Martin Co. (1911). He joined the army as an aviation cadet when the US entered World War I, attending Ground School at Austin, TX (1917) and Balloon School, Ft. Omaha, NE (1917-18). After his discharge in 1919, he returned to commercial aviation, serving as airport inspector for Los Angeles County (1920, 1921), secretary and director of Universal Institute of Aeronautics, Inc., until his death.
NASM.1987.0012
Harrison, George Blair, 1873-1930
1904-1979
bulk 1910
Marion S. Harrison, gift, 1986, 1987-0012, not NASM
1.09 Cubic feet ((1 records center box))
National Air and Space Museum Archives
This collection documents Harrison's aviation career. The material consists mainly of newspaper articles on Harrison and early aviation in general, as well as a small amount of material on his son, Bennett.
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
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Aeronautics
Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States
Aeronautics, Military
Balloons
Airships
Periodicals
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Correspondence
Diaries
Photographs
Publications
Maps