When Orville Wright moved to Oakwood, Ohio in 1914, he became acquainted with his neighbor, George Hartzell. George's son, Robert, had a strong interest in aviation and was encouraged by Orville to begin making propellers at his father's walnut wood products business. Robert left the University of Cincinnati in 1917 to begin the propeller venture. The United States had just entered World War I and the war effort created an instant and almost unmanageable demand for Hartzell Walnut Propellers. Hartzell supplied propellers to nearby Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, as well as Glen Curtiss' company and other early aviation pioneers.

This is one of a number of old propellers chosen by the museum's earliest curator, Paul Garber, from a collection at the Langley Field installation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1931.

 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
Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers Manufacturer Forest Products Laboratory
 Physical Description Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood Diameter: 228.6 cm (90 in.) Chord: 19.1 cm (7.5 in.) Engine Application: Unknown Dimensions Rotor/Propeller: 228.6 x19.1 x 56.5 x 16.8 x 1.4 x 7.9 cm (90 x 7 1/2 x 22 1/4 x 6 5/8 x 9/16 x 3.1 in.)
 Materials Wood
Paint
Varnish
 Inventory Number A19320048000 Credit Line Gift of National Advisory Committee of Aeronautics, Langley Field, Hampton, VA. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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