Charles Lawrance, originally a race car engine designer, built his first air-cooled aircraft engine in 1921 for a Navy contract. The J-1 was the first practical American radial and satisfied a Navy need for a compact lightweight engine for use on aircraft carriers, not plagued with water leakage problems.

Used in aircraft such as the Curtiss TS-1, the engine had superior performance, weighed less, and was easier to maintain than liquid-cooled engines in comparable aircraft. With encouragement from the Navy, Lawrance merged with Wright, and the J-1 developed into the famous Whirlwind series. Despite its higher initial cost relative to other engines available at the time, the Whirlwind’s reliability and lower operating cost resulted in widespread use.

The most famous Wright Whirlwind application was the 1927 New York-to-Paris flight of Charles Lindbergh. In 1928, Charles Lawrance was awarded the Collier Trophy for the outstanding performance of his engines based on records set in 1927.