Pat-
Others have posted links that tell the rough history of the airplane. I am reading "Speed" written by Frank Hawks right now, which is a great and quick read written in about 1930. (and if you want to try to find a copy, good luck! It only had one printing, and is even today considered somewhat rare) In it he shares stories of his early exploits in first-hand accounts. He also wrote a later book, Once to Every Pilot. I am looking forward to reading that one next. Frank Hawks gave Amelia Earhart her first flight in an airplane, which has been mentioned in about every Earhart book ever written. Amusingly enough, Hawks devotes about 2 lines in his book to it, when he basically says, "at that time while I was in ___ city I gave Amelia Earhart her first ride in an airplane..." and moves on. At the time he doesn't appear to be all that impressed with it, as she wasn't yet all that famous (compared to her later fame).
He flew the Texaco 13, and was (I think) its only pilot. He supervised its construction, flew it, wrecked it, flew it more, wrecked it again, had it rebuilt, and Texaco donated it to the Chicago museum. As far as I know, it is still in the condition it was in when Texaco donated it. Makes is a fairly significant time capsule of that period of time. Would be neat to see fly. (But I don't want this one flown!!!)
kevin
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