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Technology's light since man's first flight

Curtiss-Wright Corporation (NYSE: CW) has a long history with its roots dating back to the Wright brothers' first flight in 1903. Curtiss-Wright has continued on the path innovation and advanced engineering, and have applied that expertise to a number of critical applications in high performance markets. Our success has resulted in a world-renowned reputation for performance, long-standing customer relationships and significant growth and profitability in the markets in which we compete.

CWFC History Curtiss-Wright History
Curtiss-Wright Timeline
1903
First Flight: December 17, 1903First Flight: December 17, 1903: Amid the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, Wilbur and Orville Wright achieve one of civilized man's fondest dreams - flight. Also occurring that year, Glenn Curtiss sets a world land speed record of 64 miles per hour with a 40HP V8 powered motorcycle of his own design.
spotlight



Glenn Curtiss builds his own aircraft





Glenn Curtiss flies from Albany, New York
1907
Alexander Graham Bell persuades Glenn Curtiss to join his Aerial Experiment AssociationAlexander Graham Bell persuades Glenn Curtiss to join his Aerial Experiment Association.
     
1908
1909
1910
 

Glenn Curtiss builds his own aircraft and in 1908 the AEA "June Bug" takes to the air as the first "official" airplane flight.

The "Curtiss Pusher" aircraft is releasedThe "Curtiss Pusher" aircraft is released in 1909. It was the first commercially built airplane and was assembled and flown in Beloit, Wisconsin by Arthur P. Warner.

Glenn Curtiss flies from Albany, New York, along the Hudson River, to New York City, a feat of 137 miles in just less than 153 minutes, averaging 55mph and winning the $10,000 purse prize posted by publisher Joseph Pulitzer. He then flew over Manhattan Island and circled the Statue of Liberty. Also in 1910, the U.S. Navy expresses interest in military aircraft and Curtiss sets up shop in San Diego to work with U.S. Navy to develop naval aircraft requirements for his Model D biplane to be launched from the USS Birmingham, the first carrier launch of an airplane.


  First carrier launch of an airplane
    January 18, sees the first carrier landing


  Glenn Curtiss produces the two seat "Flying Fish" aircraft.    Wilbur Wright dies at age 45, of Typhoid fever, on May 12, 1912.
 
1911
  January 18, sees the first carrier landing, Curtiss produces the Triad A-1 seaplane with both wheels and pontoons for purchase by the U.S. Navy and a number of other governments around the world. First Pilots LicenseGlenn Curtiss becomes the first person to receive air pilot license. License #1 is issued by the Aero Club of America on June 9, 1911. (Wright Brothers license were numbers 4 and 5).


  Triad A-1 seaplane with both wheels and pontoons
     
1912
  Glenn Curtiss produces the two seat "Flying Fish" aircraft.

Wilbur Wright dies at age 45, of Typhoid fever, on May 12, 1912.


  Wilbur Wright dies at age 45, of Typhoid fever





U.S. Navy requisitions NC-4 long-range four engine flying boat
    Glenn Curtiss produces the larger H-4 "America" flying boat  
1914
  Glenn Curtiss produces the larger H-4 "America" flying boat with two engines, with several models purchased by the Royal Navy at the outset of World War One.


 
    Curtiss Factory in Garden City, Long Island is opened  
1916
  Glenn Curtiss begins manufacturing of the JN-4 "Jenny"Glenn Curtiss begins manufacturing of the JN-4 "Jenny", arguably the most famous North American Aircraft in WWI, for the U.S. Army with thousands sold to the United States, Britain and Canada. Curtiss employs more than 21,000 workers in Buffalo and Hammondsport, New York, producing more than 10,000 aircraft.


 
     
1917
  U.S. Navy requisitions NC-4 long-range four engine flying boat to hold crew of five.


 
          Curtiss Factory in Garden City, Long Island is opened. The purchase of Glenn Curtiss' Golden Flyer, by the Aeronautic Society of New York for $5k, marks the first sale of an airplane in the United States.


 
    Wright Aeronautical introduces the Cyclone engine  
1923
  Curtiss Seaplanes win the Schneider CupCurtiss Seaplanes win the Schneider Cup with speeds approaching 180 mph.
  Orville Wright sells Wright Aeronautical Company to Curtiss
Glenn Curtiss dies at the age of 52
     
1927
  Wright Aeronautical introduces the Cyclone engine.


Orville Wright sells Wright Aeronautical Company to Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Company on July 5. Curtiss-Wright Corporation was formed with the merger of 12 Wright and Curtiss affiliated companies on July 5, 1929. On August 22nd of that same year, Curtiss-Wright Corporation is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.


 
   

The redesigned Wright cyclone is released
 
1930



 
  Glenn Curtiss dies at the age of 52, following complications from appendix surgery and is buried in Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Hammondsport, New York.

The redesigned Wright cyclone is released as the 14 cylinder Wright R-2600, and becomes the most dominating aircraft engine then and into WWII.


 
     
1935
  Curtiss-Wright develops the Curtiss P-36 Hawk Fighter PlaneCurtiss-Wright develops the Curtiss P-36 Hawk Fighter Plane, tested and accepted by the U. S. Army. It results in the largest peacetime aircraft order ever given by the Army Air Corps. The Wright R-2250 18 cylinder engine is released and dominated WWII allied airplane engine installations.


  Curtiss-Wright opens state-of-the-art research laboratory
   

WWII: Curtiss-Wright leads the world in the production of aircraft
 
1940
  Curtiss-Wright opens state-of-the-art research laboratory with pioneering high velocity wind tunnel and large altitude chamber (lab later donated to Cornell University).


 
     
1941
  P-40WWII: Curtiss-Wright leads the world in the production of aircraft engines, producing 142,840 engines for 13,789 P-40 Warhawk airplanes, with a complement of 146,468 propellers, while employing more than 43,000 employees. Curtiss-Wright constructed more than 29,000 airplanes during WWII, including the Curtiss Commando transport and the Navy dive bomber, the Helldiver.


  Work begins on the Wright R-3350
    Curtiss-Wright becomes the second largest U.S. company  
1942
  Work begins on the Wright R-3350, 18 cylinder "Duplex-Cyclone" turbo-compound radial piston engines, with 16 foot propeller, for the Boeing B-29 Super fortress.


 
     
1945
  War's End: By the end of WWII, Curtiss-Wright becomes the second largest U.S. company (General Motors remains first), with production facilities in Buffalo NY, St. Louis MO, Indianapolis IN, Louisville KY, Columbus and Cincinnati OH, Patterson, Woodridge, Clifton and Caldwell, NJ.


  Orville Wright dies of heart failure, at age 76
    Decline of large production piston aircraft engines  
1948
  Orville Wright dies of heart failure, at age 76, on January 30, 1948. 1953: Douglas DC-7 is introduced in May of that year with now fully perfected Wright R-3350, one of the post powerful radial aircraft engines ever produced in the United States, delivering up to 3,700 HP.


 
     
1960
  Decline of large production piston aircraft engines has Curtiss-Wright expand and replace products and services.


  Curtiss-Wright expands into metal improvements
     
1968
  Curtiss-Wright expands into metal improvements markets with "MI" Metal Improvements business segment.


 
    Glenn Curtiss inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America  
1978
  Curtiss-Wright refocuses on aviation businessCurtiss-Wright refocuses on aviation business, within aircraft component maintenance, repair, overhaul, refurbishment and re-engineering.


 
     
1990
  Glenn Curtiss inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America


   
     
1997
  Curtiss-Wright forms Curtiss-Wright Flow Control around Target Rock acquisitionCurtiss-Wright forms Curtiss-Wright Flow Control around Target Rock acquisition (see below panel for details). Curtiss-Wright celebrates 75th anniversary.


  Curtiss-Wright Controls expands into embedded computing market
    2006 Glenn Curtiss is inducted into Long Island Technology hall of Fame  
2002
  Curtiss-Wright Controls expands into embedded computing market, with acquisition of Vista Controls, Penny & Giles and Autronics,


 
     
2006
  2006 Glenn Curtiss is inducted into Long Island Technology hall of Fame.
 
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