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 Summary

This collection contains photographs and blueprints of the Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862).

 Biographical / Historical

William C. Powers was an architectural engineer-mechanic in Mobile, AL during the Civil War. Between 1862 and 1863 he designed and built experimental plans and a model of a helicopter intended to provide the Confederate defenders of Mobile with a means for aerial bombing of the Federal blockading fleet. A family dispute apparently arose over the fear that the North would capture the ship and use it to destroy the South, and the plans were set aside until 1940.

 Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0562

Creator

Powers, William C.

Date

1862-1863

Provenance

Clara McDermott and William V. McDermott, Gift, 1940, XXXX-0562

Extent

0.11 Cubic feet (2 folders)

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection contains 7 black and white photographs of Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862) model and blueprints, as well as the original blueprints.

Arrangement note

No arrangement.

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

PowPowers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862) Collection, NASM.XXXX.0562, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.

Topics

Aeronautics, Military -- pre-1903

Aeronautics

Aeronautics -- pre-1903

Aeronautics, Military

Powers (W. C.) Helicopter (1862)

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Drawings

Photographs