Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer

Charles M. Olmsted, a European trained physicist from Upstate New York, had an interest in flight from his early years. His success with gliders in the 1890's led to the formation of the Buffalo-Pitts-Olmsted Syndicate in 1910 to develop aircraft. Following failure of the related agricultural equipment manufacturing company, Olmsted formed the CMO Physical Laboratory, continuing to manufacture and sell his ultra-efficient propellers. Olmsted designs differed from other propellers, having a large surface near the blade base and very little surface at the tip. Olmsted's propellers represented a fundamental difference in design philosophy that has not been duplicated by any other designer.

This left-turning pusher propeller won a test against a Curtiss propeller on a Curtiss Flying Boat owned by famous industrialist Harold McCormick of International Harvester. The Olmsted propelled aircraft broke 1914 records for worldwide hydroplane airspeed, as well as for payloads of worldwide hydroplanes and all US planes, lifting 999 kg (2200 lbs), including six passengers.

 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 1914 Country of Origin United States of America Type PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers Designer Charles M Olmsted
 Physical Description Type: Two-blade, fixed-pitch, wood Diameter: 248.9 cm (98 in.) Chord: 54.6 cm (21.5 in.) Engine Application: Curtiss OX, 67 kw (90 hp), 1350 rpm Dimensions Rotor/Propeller: 248.9 x 54.6 x 7.6 x 68.6 x 2.5cm (98 x 21 1/2 x 3 x 27 x 1 in.)
3-D: 241.3 x 36.2 x 66.7cm (95 x 14 1/4 x 26 1/4 in.)
 Materials Wood
Paint
Steel
Natural Fabric
 Inventory Number A19690141000 Credit Line Found in collection Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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