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Summary

A scrapbook and photographs documenting Roland Rohlf's aviaiton career.

Biographical / Historical

Roland Rohlfs started his career establishing motorcycle records in 1914, before turning to the field of aviation. Rohlfs became an instructor and experimental test pilot with Curtiss Aeroplane Company during World War I, and he established speed and altitude records. Because of his popularity, he endorsed advertisements for such items as watches, spark plugs, parachutes and cars. In 1928, Rohlfs developed and patented an aerial neon sign, and established the Aerial Advertising Company to administer it. Toward the end of his career, he promoted private flying as a "Personal Flying Specialist" for the Civil Aviation Authority and he was an operations manager for Aeromarine Airways. Rohlfs was a member of the Early Birds.

Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0278

Creator

Rohlfs, Roland

Date

1914-1973

bulk 1919-1931

Provenance

Roland Rohlfs, Gift, Unknown, NASM.XXXX.0278

Extent

0.23 Cubic feet ((1 slim legal document box))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

A scrapbook records Rohlfs' career and includes correspondence, telegrams, programs, and newspaper articles. Loose photographs were reproduced on NASM Archives Videodisc 2B, and include family photographs as well as subjects relating to Rohlfs' career as described above.

Arrangement note

Photographs located in Videodisc Files; scrapbook is a single item.

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

Roland Rohlfs Collection, NASM.XXXX.0278, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

Topics

Test pilots -- United States

Test pilots

Aeronautics, Commercial -- United States

Aeronautics, Commercial

Aeronautics -- Records

Aeronautics -- Competitions

Aeronautics -- 1903-1916

Aeronautics

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Scrapbooks

Programs

Clippings

Correspondence