Albert Leo Stevens (1873-1944) was an accomplished balloonist and aviation pioneer. Stevens began making ascensions when he was twelve and began manufacturing balloons and dirigibles at the age of 20. Stevens was an exhibitor in parachute, balloon, dirigible, and human cannonball shows and also was a participant in races such as the Gordon Bennett Balloon Races. Stevens flew one of the very first successful dirigibles in the United States in 1906 and opened the first private airfield in the nation in 1909. In the latter part of his career, Stevens became a flight promoter and worked with such pioneering aviators as Harry Atwood, Harry Bingham Brown, George Beatty, and Harriet Quimby. Stevens also played a key role in the development of safety features for parachutes.
NASM.1997.0039
Stevens, Albert Leo, 1873-1944
1900-1915
Chris and Maureen Lynch, Valhalla Aerostation, Purchase, 1997, 1997-0039, Public Domain
0.89 Linear feet
No restrictions on access
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Glass negatives
Transparencies
Lantern slides
This collection consists of 37 glass negatives, 22 glass lantern slides, and 4 transparencies depicting the life and career of Stevens, circa 1900-1915. There are also corresponding negatives and contact prints for these 63 images.
Glass negatives
Transparencies
Lantern slides
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Stevens, Albert Leo, 1873-1944
Balloons
Aeronautics
Aeronautics -- Exhibitions
National Air and Space Museum Archives