Jump to content

George Thompson (aviator): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→External links: remove cat
GreenC bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
2,547,812 edits
Rescued 1 archive link; reformat 2 links. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:USURPURL and JUDI batch #20
 
(36 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Infobox person
⚫
'''George W. Thompson''' (b. April 3, 1888 - d. August 21, 1912) was a self-taught [[aviator]], and is one of the first Coloradan flyers.<ref>[http://www.coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org/bio_popup.asp?id=48 Colorado Aviation Historical Society: ''George Thompson'' History]</ref> He was born near [[Sharon Springs, Kansas]].<ref>Some records indicate he was born in [[Denver, Colorado]]</ref> Thompson built a Matthewson biplane, a [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] design, and soloed it on January 4, 1911.
| name = George W. Thompson
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1888|04|03}}
| birth_place = near [[Sharon Springs, Kansas]]
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1912|08|21|1888|04|03}}
| death_place = [[Lamar, Colorado]]
| nationality = American
| other_names =
| occupation =
| years_active =
| known_for = Early self-taught aviator.
| notable_works =
}}


⚫
'''George W. Thompson''' (April 3, 1888 – August 21, 1912) was a self-taught [[aviator]], and is one of the first Coloradan flyers.<ref name=CAHS>{{cite web |url=http://www.coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org/bio_popup.asp?id=48 |title=George Thompson |publisher=Colorado Aviation Historical Society |access-date=2010-03-03 |archive-date=2016-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190146/http://www.coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org/bio_popup.asp?id=48 |url-status=usurped }}</ref> He was born near [[Sharon Springs, Kansas]].<ref>Some records indicate he was born in [[Denver, Colorado]]</ref> Thompson built a Mathewson biplane, a [[Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company|Curtiss]] design, and soloed it on January 4, 1911.
==History==
His early career was working for the Mathewson Auto Company, [[Denver, Colorado]]. The company name later became the [[Mathewson Aeroplane Company]].<ref>[http://earlyaviators.com/ethomge2.htm EarlyAviators.org: ''George Thompson''], reprint from the [[Denver Post]]</ref><ref>[http://books.google.com/books?id=RJ0PAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA188&lpg=PA188&dq=Mathewson+Aeroplane+Company&source=bl&ots=jYcrUVJeWP&sig=xlxC6Z9ajqN-xedVxPPnEmxc4pw&hl=en&ei=RYyOS5rYDoPStgO95OTDCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CAsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=Mathewson%20Aeroplane%20Company&f=false Aeronautics: the American magazine of aerial locomotion, Volume 8]</ref> Thompson made several flights on his first flying day, and in the first year, about 100 flights during 1911. He was known to travel with his aircraft throughout Colorado and also in [[Wyoming]], especially at county fairs with aerial shows.


== Biography ==
⚫
In his short life, he built and flew nine "headless biplanes". He also helped to organize the American Federation of Aviators, and served as president in 1911-1912.
His early career was working for the Mathewson Auto Company, [[Denver, Colorado]]. The company name later became the [[Mathewson Aeroplane Company]].<ref name=Post>{{cite web |url=http://earlyaviators.com/ethomge2.htm |title=Aviator Crushed to Death as His Aeroplane Drops |publisher=[[Denver Post]] article transcribed at EarlyAviators.org |date=August 22, 1912}}</ref><ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=RJ0PAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA188 Aeronautics: the American magazine of aerial locomotion, Volume 8]</ref> Thompson made several flights on his first flying day, and in the first year, about 100 flights during 1911. He was known to travel with his aircraft throughout Colorado and also in [[Wyoming]], especially at county fairs with aerial shows. Thompson made the first flight ever in Wyoming using a Mathewson plane for the Independence Day celebration in [[Gillette, Wyoming]] in 1911.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Thousands Celebrate |url=http://pluto.wyo.gov/awweb/main.jsp?smd=2&nid=4447/52953/52954/52955/52973/53004/53005 |work=Gillette News |location=Gillette, Wyoming |date=1911-07-07 |access-date=2017-12-23 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hall-Scott |last2=Mathewson |first2=E. L. |date=September 1911 |title=Hall-Scott: Aviation Power Plants Mean Professional Success |url=https://archive.org/details/aeronautics910aero |journal=Aeronautics |volume=9 |issue=3 |pages=3 |access-date=2017-12-23 }}</ref>


⚫
In his short life, he built and flew nine "headless biplanes"{{clarify|date=September 2012}}. He also helped to organize the American Federation of Aviators, and served as president in 1911-1912.
⚫
Thompson's primary flights took place at the Sable airstrip, a primitive airfield and auto racing track, located between the [[Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center|Fitzsimmons Hospital]] and the [[Rocky Mountain Arsenal]], the area of the old [[Stapleton Airport]]. For some of his Colorado travels, he disassembled his aircraft and shipped it in a boxcar to his destination.


⚫
Thompson's primary flights took place at the Sable airstrip, a primitive airfield and auto racing track, located between the [[Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center|Fitzsimons Hospital]] and the [[Rocky Mountain Arsenal]], the area of the old [[Stapleton Airport]]. For some of his Colorado travels, he disassembled his aircraft and shipped it in a boxcar to his destination.
George Thompson made a number of early contributions to Colorado aviation, but his 24-year life was cut short by a crash at the [[Prowers County, Colorado|Prowers County]] Fair at [[Lamar, Colorado]] on August 21, 1912. During a flight he hit a treetop which threw him out, to fall about 40 feet to the ground, with the aircraft falling upon him.


George Thompson made a number of early contributions to Colorado aviation, but his life was cut short at the age of 24 by a crash at the [[Prowers County, Colorado|Prowers County]] Fair at [[Lamar, Colorado]] on August 21, 1912. According to the Colorado Aviation Historical Society, during a flight, he hit a treetop, was thrown out and fell about {{convert|40|ft|m}} to the ground, with the aircraft falling upon him.<ref name=CAHS/> ''[[The New York Times]]'' gave a different account, reporting that his airplane "was tipped over by a light breeze" at a height of {{convert|200|ft|m}}; Thompson jumped, but was fatally crushed by his machine.<ref name=NYT>{{cite news |title=Denver Aviator Killed: George Thompson's Machine Turns Turtle Before Race Track Crowd. |newspaper=The New York Times |date=August 22, 1912 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1912/08/22/100545732.pdf}}</ref> ''[[The Denver Post]]'' stated he lost control of his Mathewson biplane at an altitude of 200 feet after he "struck an air pocket" and hit the tree on the way down.<ref name=Post/>
⚫
George Thompson's headstone at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado|Wheatridge]] are engraved with the words "George W. Thompson, Colorado's First Aviator". He was inducted into the [[Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame]] in its first ceremony of 1969.

⚫
His headstone at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in [[Wheat Ridge, Colorado]] are engraved with the words "George W. Thompson, Colorado's First Aviator".

===Colorado Hall of Fame===
Thompson was inducted into the [[Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame]] in its first ceremony of 1969.<ref name=CAHS/>

== See also ==
; Original ten 1969 Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Laureates
* [[Ivy Baldwin]]
* [[Allan F. Bonnalie]]
* [[Ira B. Humphreys|Ira Boyd "Bumps" Humphreys]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=85 |title=CAHS: ''Ira Humphreys History'' |access-date=2020-06-05 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725184151/http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=85 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Albert E. Humphreys]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=86 |title=CAHS: ''Albert Humphreys History'' |access-date=2020-06-05 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725184322/http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=86 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Will D. Parker|Will D. "Billy" Parker]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=218 |title=CAHS: ''Will Parker History'' |access-date=2020-06-05 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725184328/http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=218 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Chriss J. Peterson]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=196 |title=CAHS: ''Chriss Peterson History'' |access-date=2020-06-05 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725184333/http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=196 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* [[Reginald Sinclaire]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=189 |title=CAHS: ''Reginald Sinclair History'' |access-date=2020-06-05 |archive-date=2011-07-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725184352/http://www.colahs.org/bio_popup.asp?id=189 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* George W. Thompson
* [[Frank A. Van Dersarl]]
* [[Jerry Cox Vasconcells]]
* {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20130109002608/http://coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org/inductees_all.asp?menuID=12~12 List of current Hall of Fame Laureates]}}


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
;Further reading
;Further reading
* Holmes, Charles W., Editor, ''Honoree Album of the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame'', '''The [[Colorado Aviation Historical Society]]''', 1999, Audubon Media Corp., Audobon, IA.
* Holmes, Charles W., Editor, ''Honoree Album of the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame'', '''The [[Colorado Aviation Historical Society]]''', 1999, Audubon Media Corp., Audubon, IA.


==External links==
==External links==
* [http://earlyaviators.com/ethomgeo.htm EarlyAviators.org: ''George Thompson'']
* [http://earlyaviators.com/ethomgeo.htm EarlyAviators.org: ''George Thompson'']
* [http://www/coloradoaviationhistoricalsociety.org Colorado Aviation Historical Society website]


{{DEFAULTSORT:Thompson, George}}
[[Category:American aviators]]
[[Category:Aviation history]]
[[Category:1888 births]]
[[Category:Aviation accidents and incidents in 1912]]
[[Category:1912 deaths]]
[[Category:Aviation pioneers]]
[[Category:American aviation pioneers]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents]]
[[Category:Aviators killed in aviation accidents or incidents in the United States]]
[[Category:People from Wallace County, Kansas]]
[[Category:Victims of aviation accidents or incidents in 1912]]

Latest revision as of 00:53, 21 December 2024

George W. Thompson
Born(1888-04-03)April 3, 1888
near Sharon Springs, Kansas
DiedAugust 21, 1912(1912-08-21) (aged 24)
Lamar, Colorado
NationalityAmerican
Known forEarly self-taught aviator.

George W. Thompson (April 3, 1888 – August 21, 1912) was a self-taught aviator, and is one of the first Coloradan flyers.[1] He was born near Sharon Springs, Kansas.[2] Thompson built a Mathewson biplane, a Curtiss design, and soloed it on January 4, 1911.

Biography

[edit]

His early career was working for the Mathewson Auto Company, Denver, Colorado. The company name later became the Mathewson Aeroplane Company.[3][4] Thompson made several flights on his first flying day, and in the first year, about 100 flights during 1911. He was known to travel with his aircraft throughout Colorado and also in Wyoming, especially at county fairs with aerial shows. Thompson made the first flight ever in Wyoming using a Mathewson plane for the Independence Day celebration in Gillette, Wyoming in 1911.[5][6]

In his short life, he built and flew nine "headless biplanes"[clarification needed]. He also helped to organize the American Federation of Aviators, and served as president in 1911-1912.

Thompson's primary flights took place at the Sable airstrip, a primitive airfield and auto racing track, located between the Fitzsimons Hospital and the Rocky Mountain Arsenal, the area of the old Stapleton Airport. For some of his Colorado travels, he disassembled his aircraft and shipped it in a boxcar to his destination.

George Thompson made a number of early contributions to Colorado aviation, but his life was cut short at the age of 24 by a crash at the Prowers County Fair at Lamar, Colorado on August 21, 1912. According to the Colorado Aviation Historical Society, during a flight, he hit a treetop, was thrown out and fell about 40 feet (12 m) to the ground, with the aircraft falling upon him.[1] The New York Times gave a different account, reporting that his airplane "was tipped over by a light breeze" at a height of 200 feet (61 m); Thompson jumped, but was fatally crushed by his machine.[7] The Denver Post stated he lost control of his Mathewson biplane at an altitude of 200 feet after he "struck an air pocket" and hit the tree on the way down.[3]

His headstone at Olinger Crown Hill Cemetery in Wheat Ridge, Colorado are engraved with the words "George W. Thompson, Colorado's First Aviator".

Colorado Hall of Fame

[edit]

Thompson was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in its first ceremony of 1969.[1]

See also

[edit]
Original ten 1969 Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame Laureates

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c "George Thompson". Colorado Aviation Historical Society. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-03-03.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ Some records indicate he was born in Denver, Colorado
  3. ^ a b "Aviator Crushed to Death as His Aeroplane Drops". Denver Post article transcribed at EarlyAviators.org. August 22, 1912.
  4. ^ Aeronautics: the American magazine of aerial locomotion, Volume 8
  5. ^ "Thousands Celebrate". Gillette News. Gillette, Wyoming. 1911-07-07. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  6. ^ Hall-Scott; Mathewson, E. L. (September 1911). "Hall-Scott: Aviation Power Plants Mean Professional Success". Aeronautics. 9 (3): 3. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  7. ^ "Denver Aviator Killed: George Thompson's Machine Turns Turtle Before Race Track Crowd" (PDF). The New York Times. August 22, 1912.
  8. ^ "CAHS: Ira Humphreys History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  9. ^ "CAHS: Albert Humphreys History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  10. ^ "CAHS: Will Parker History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  11. ^ "CAHS: Chriss Peterson History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
  12. ^ "CAHS: Reginald Sinclair History". Archived from the original on 2011-07-25. Retrieved 2020-06-05.
Further reading
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=George_Thompson_(aviator)&oldid=1264196293"