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 artifact is a right-turning tractor propeller designed in 1916 for the famous World War I Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" training aircraft. However, it was not deemed by the Army to be any better than the ordinary type for tractor purposes and, therefore, not mass produced.
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
1916
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers
Designer
Charles M Olmsted
Manufacturer
Charles M Olmsted
Physical Description
Type: Two-blade, fixed-pitch, maple.
Diameter: 292 cm (115 in.)
Chord: 46 cm (18 in.)
Engine Application: Curtiss OX-5, V-8, liquid cooled, 75 kw (100 hp)
Dimensions
Rotor/Propeller: 292.1 × 45.7 × 22.9 × 37 × 3.5cm (9 ft. 7 in. × 1 ft. 6 in. × 9 in. × 1 ft. 2 9/16 in. × 1 3/8 in.)
Materials
Steel
Wood
Leather
Paint
Varnish
Inventory Number
A19690144001
Credit Line
Found in collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
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