An early predominant manufacturer in the United States, Spencer Heath's American Propeller and Manufacturing Company opened in 1909, and first used machines for propeller mass production. Under the Paragon trademark, these were widely flown in World War I. Construction was a wood laminate because of light weight, strength, fabrication ease, and resistance to fatigue in a vibrating and flexing environment.

The manufacturer's brochure states three-bladed Paragon propellers were extensively used by the U.S. Navy beginning in 1912. It was claimed that "In point of strength of hub no propeller whatever can compare with the three-bladed . , ." and that they ". . . nearly always [give] better results than two-bladed propellers of any type."

Heath demonstrated the first "engine-powered, engine-controlled, variable and reversible pitch propeller" in 1919, but was unsuccessful in convincing the Army of the practicality of the concept. He retired from aeronautics two years after selling the company to the Bendix Corporation in 1929.

 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 c.1920 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers Manufacturer American Propeller and Manufacturing Company
 Physical Description Type: Three-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood Diameter: 191 cm (75 in.) Chord: 16.5 cm (6 1/2 in.) Engine Application: Unknown Dimensions Rotor/Propeller: 190.5 x 16.5 x 81.3 x 25.4 x 10.2cm (75 x 6 1/2 x 32 x 10 x 4 in.)
 Materials Laminated wood, Museum Varnish, Paint
 Inventory Number A19690114000 Credit Line Found in the collection. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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