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Although numerous rotary aircraft engines were made by many manufacturers, the French Gnome, developed by the Seguin brothers, was most successful in bringing the rotary to a broad aviation market. More than 20,000 Gnomes of different models were made by the end of World War I.

This artifact was first installed on a hydroplane which made an unsuccessful attempt to fly from the Seine River. Henry Farman installed the engine in his biplane which first flew in April 1909. In August 1909, at the first aviation meet in Reims, that aircraft won the Grand Prix with records of distance and duration. The engine was later installed in L. Paulhan's aircraft and set another distance record. The first successful seaplane flight was made by Henri Fabre in March 1910, in an aircraft powered by another Gnome Omega engine.

The artifact was given to the donor by Amedee Seguin, son of Louis Seguin, co-inventor of the engine.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Early Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.

Early Flight
Object Details
Date 1908 Country of Origin France Type PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary Designer Laurent Seguin
Louis Seguin
 Manufacturer Societe des Moteurs Gnome et Rhône
 Physical Description Type: Rotary, 7 cylinders, air-cooled Power rating: 37.3 KW (50 hp) at 1,200 rpm Displacement: 8.01 L (488.5 cu in) Bore and Stroke: 110 mm (4.33 in) x 120 mm (4.73 in) Weight: 75.6 kg (166.5 lb) Dimensions 3-D: 76.2 × 83.8cm, 78kg (30 × 33 in., 172lb.)
Support: 185.4 × 73.7 × 73.7cm (73 × 29 × 29 in.)
 Materials Nickel Steel Overall
 Inventory Number A19990069000 Credit Line Gift of Rear Admiral Lauren S. McCready, USMS. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.