The following sections of this BookRags Literature Study Guide is offprint from Gale's For Students Series: Presenting Analysis, Context, and Criticism on Commonly Studied Works: Introduction, Author Biography, Plot Summary, Characters, Themes, Style, Historical Context, Critical Overview, Criticism and Critical Essays, Media Adaptations, Topics for Further Study, Compare & Contrast, What Do I Read Next?, For Further Study, and Sources.
(c)1998-2002; (c)2002 by Gale. Gale is an imprint of The Gale Group, Inc., a division of Thomson Learning, Inc. Gale and Design and Thomson Learning are trademarks used herein under license.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Encyclopedia of Popular Fiction: "Social Concerns", "Thematic Overview", "Techniques", "Literary Precedents", "Key Questions", "Related Titles", "Adaptations", "Related Web Sites". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
The following sections, if they exist, are offprint from Beacham's Guide to Literature for Young Adults: "About the Author", "Overview", "Setting", "Literary Qualities", "Social Sensitivity", "Topics for Discussion", "Ideas for Reports and Papers". (c)1994-2005, by Walton Beacham.
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1878-1930
American aviator and inventor who made the first public flights in the United States and designed several aircraft, including the flying boat and the seaplane. (A seaplane is designed to take off from or land on a body of water.) Glenn Hammond Curtiss was born in Hammondsport, New York, in 1878, his middle name being chosen in honor of his town's founder. Curtiss was thrilled by speed, experimenting with bicycles, motorcycles, and flying machines. His exploits even made him the model for a series of children's books entitled The Adventures of Tom Swift. Curtiss designed and built engines for aircraft, then tried them out in the air. In 1908, he won the Scientific American trophy after his successful flight of 0.6 miles (1 km). He was the first to build seaplanes in America, earning him the title "The Father of Naval Aviation." His planes were widely used by Great Britain, Russia, and the United States during World War I.