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 propellers had a significant role in aviation history, including weight carrying records and the first transatlantic aircraft flight, but 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 particular left-turning pusher propeller was used in over-power testing, resulting in a glue joint opening up, and was donated to the museum by the designer along with other artifacts.

 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 Charles M Olmsted
 Physical Description Type: Two-blade, fixed-pitch, maple, pusher propeller, used in over-power testing. Diameter: 255.3 cm (100.5 in.) Chord: 69.9 cm (27.5 in.) Engine Application: Unknown Dimensions Rotor/Propeller: 255.3 x 69.9 x 15.9 x 56.8cm (100 1/2 x 27 1/2 x 6 1/4 x 22 3/8 in.)
3-D: 251.5 x 43.2 x 54.6cm (99 x 17 x 21 1/2 in.)
 Materials Wood
Steel
Paint
Plastic
Adhesive
Natural Fabric
 Inventory Number A19310019000 Credit Line Gift of Charles M. Olmsted, Designer and Builder to the National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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