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The first successful rotary engine is generally attributed to F.O. Farwell in 1896, and was built by the Adams Company of Dubuque, Iowa. A three cylinder version likely powered the first rubber-tired automobile in 1899.

Because of its light weight, this five cylinder engine was selected by Emile Berliner, an inventor possibly better known in the acoustics field, to drive a helicopter's vertical shaft in a 1908 "test rig." It was reported by the New York Times on July 1, 1909 that a helicopter jointly designed by Berliner and J. Newton Williams, using two of these engines, successfully lifted a few feet off the ground in the last week of June 1909 with Williams aboard.

During this same period, Berliner formed the Gyro Motor Company to pursue development of the rotary engine in aviation, but the French Gnome engine was much more successful in bringing the rotary to a broad aviation market.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date 1907 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Manufacturer Adams-Farwell Company (Dubuque, Iowa)
 Manufactured for Emile Berliner
 Physical Description Type: Rotary, 5 cylinders, air-cooled Power rating: 26.8 kW (36 hp) at 1,500 rpm Displacement: 4.07 L (248.25 cu. in.) Bore and Stroke: 114 mm (4.5 in.) x 89 mm (3.5 in.) Weight: 44.1 kg (97.2 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 48.3 × 68.6cm, 44.1kg (19 × 27 in., 97 1/4lb.)
Support: 43.2 × 44.5 × 36.8cm (17 in. × 17 1/2 in. × 14 1/2 in.)
 Materials Metal
 Inventory Number A19130001000 Credit Line Gift of the Gyro Motor Company, Washington, DC Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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