An early predominant manufacturer in the United States, Spencer Heath's American Propeller and Manufacturing Company opened in Baltimore in 1909. Heath was first to use machines for mass production of aircraft propellers and, under the Paragon trademark, these were widely used in World War I. Like most propellers of that era, construction was a wood laminate because of light weight, strength, fabrication ease, and resistance to fatigue in a vibrating and flexing environment.
Heath demonstrated the first "engine-powered, engine-controlled, variable and reversible pitch propeller" in 1919, but was unsuccessful in convincing the Army of the practicality of the concept. He sold the company to the Bendix Corporation in 1929 and retired from aeronautics two years later.
Display Status
This object is on display in Early Flight at the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
Object Details
Date
1911
Country of Origin
United States of America
Type
PROPULSION-Propellers & Impellers
Manufacturer
American Propeller and Manufacturing Company
Physical Description
Type: Two-Blade, Fixed-Pitch, Wood
Diameter: 182.9 cm (72 in.)
Chord: 28.6 cm (11.25 in.)
Engine Application: Unknown
Dimensions
Rotor/Propeller: 182.9 x 28.6 x 15.2 x 1.1 x 0.5cm (72 x 11 1/4 x 6 x 7/16 x 3/16 in.)
Materials
Wood
Inventory Number
A19300067000
Credit Line
Gift of Alden Hydraulic Laboratory, Worchester Polytechnic Institute
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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