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 Identifier

NASM.XXXX.0129

Creator

Balzer, Stephen M.

Date

1898-1962

bulk 1899-1932

Provenance

No Donor information, XXXX-0129, Unknown

Extent

0.56 Cubic feet ((1 16x20x3 flatbox))

Archival Repository

National Air and Space Museum Archives

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of correspondence between Stephen Balzer and S.P. Langley, Richard Rathbun, Charles M. Manley, and others pertaining to the 52-HP Radial Engine he designed. In addition Balzer designed and built the first automobile to run in New York City, which was exhibited at the Smithsonian Institution. Balzer's engine-building ability came to the attention of Langley in 1898, who decided that a gasoline engine would be more practical for his proposed man-carrying airplane than a steam power plant. There are five items that have no date, including a voucher for payments to Balzer by the Smithsonian Institution, a summary of the engine's progress by Balzer, and the cover of a mail package from V.W. Balzer to Philip S. Hopkins (NAM).

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

Topics

Langley-Manly-Balzer Aero Engine of 1903 5-Cyl. Radial

Aeronautics

Aeronautics -- 1903-1916

Type

Collection descriptions

Archival materials

Correspondence

Financial records