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Commissioned by Dr. Samuel P. Langley, this engine powered his unsuccessful airplane, known as the Langley Aerodrome A. It was the first internal combustion engine specifically designed for an aircraft. In its original form, the 1899 engine was a 6 kW (8 hp), air-cooled rotary designed and built by Stephen M. Balzer of New York City, N.Y. It derived from his automobile engine of 1894, and was never reliable, only running for a few minutes.

After being redesigned and successfully rebuilt as a water-cooled radial by Charles M. Manly, Langley's assistant, it had the best power-to-weight ratio (1.5 kg/kW or 2.4 lb/hp) of any engine in the world until 1906, and ran for up to 10 hours duration. Manly damaged his eyesight while brazing engine parts, and nearly drowned while piloting the last attempted flight of the Aerodrome on December 8, 1903. The Wright Brothers were successful on December 17.

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

1903

Country of Origin

United States of America

Type

PROPULSION-Reciprocating & Rotary

Designer

Charles M. Manly
Stephen M. Balzer

Manufacturer

Langley-Manly-Balzer

Physical Description

Type: Reciprocating, 5 cylinders, radial, water-cooled
Power rating: 39.1 kW (52.4 hp) at 950 rpm
Displacement: 8.85 L (540 cu in.)
Bore and Stroke: 127 mm (5 in.) x 140 mm (5.5 in.)
Weight (wet): 95.2 kg (209.6 lb)

Dimensions

3-D: 104.1 × 91.4 × 88.9cm (41 × 36 × 35 in.)
Support: 104.1 × 120.7 × 47cm (41 in. × 47 1/2 in. × 18 1/2 in.)

Materials

Metal

Inventory Number

A19080003000

Credit Line

Deposit by the Smithsonian Institution

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.