Thomas Scott Baldwin

Captain Thomas Scott Baldwin ( * June 30, 1854 in Marion, Harrison County, Missouri, † May 17, 1923 ) was an American balloonist and aviation pioneer.

Life

He developed the first dirigible airship in the United States, the California Arrow 1904. ( First Ride July 29, 1904, the first public trip: August 3, 1904). As carrier gas he used hydrogen. Baldwin was able to achieve some commercial success with its airships. By 1908 he had sold about ten airships, they were equipped with engines of Glenn Curtiss.

In 1908, he managed to get an order of the U.S. armed forces. The airship Airship No Signal Corps. 1 (SC -1 ) rose for the first time for seven minutes on 4 August 1908. The following day, the successful acceptance journey took place for the military. The airship was powered by a water-cooled 24 - hp four- cylinder engine, which had been developed by Curtiss and the first of its kind.

By 1914, Baldwin was also involved in the construction of airplanes. Then he turned back to the airships. The construction of DN- 1, the first U.S. Navy airship in 1917 returned with him.

His last employment was with the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company as a balloon and airship designer.

Captain Thomas Scott Baldwin died on 17 May 1923 aged 69 years. His grave is located on the Arlington National Cemetery.