E. Lilian Todd facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
E. Lilian Todd
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Todd in 1907
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| Born | June 12, 1865 Washington, D.C., U.S.
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| Died | September 26, 1937 (aged 72) |
Emma Lilian Todd (12 June 1865 – 26 September 1937) was a self-taught inventor recognized as the first woman in the world to design airplanes, starting her work in 1906. Her aircraft design flew in 1910, piloted by Didier Masson.
Early life and education
Todd was born in Washington, D.C., and by the 1870 census, she lived with her mother Mary Todd and her sister Cora. Emma's inventive talent is attributed to her grandfather.
Todd received her education in Washington, D.C. and taught herself typewriting to earn a living.
She worked at the Patent Office and later in the Pennsylvania governor's office before returning to New York to study law and patent work. She later worked as a secretary to the director-general of the Women's National War Relief Association during the Spanish–American War.
Inventor
In 1896, Todd patented a typewriter copy-holder.
In the early 1900s, Todd shifted her focus to aeronautics after being inspired by airships in London and at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis, as well as a sketch of an airplane in a 1906 Parisian newspaper. She gained attention for her designs, notably exhibiting her first at Madison Square Garden. Philanthropist Olivia Sage became her patron, funding Todd's first full-sized biplane, which was built by the Wittemann Brothers in 1908.
Todd's biplane featured a spruce framework, muslin wings, and was powered by a modified Rinek motor. The airplane had two seats, and was 36 ft (11 m) in length.
Todd also founded the first Junior Aero Club in 1908 to educate future aviators. The club met at Todd's residence in New York, where her living room had become her workshop and was decorated by aircraft models of her own design and other mechanical toys. Todd was also credited with inventing and patenting a cabinet with a folding table, a cannon that could be triggered by solar power, a sundial, and an aeolian harp device that could be attached to a tree.
Although she sought permission to pilot her aircraft, her request was denied. Nevertheless, on November 7, 1910, the aircraft made a powered hop of 20 ft (6.1 m) over the Garden City aviation field with Didier Masson at the controls, but proved unable to sustain flight.
Later years
After the death of Mrs. Sage, Todd moved to Pasadena, California, in the 1920s and later to Corona del Mar, where she passed away in 1937. Her ashes were buried in the Moravian Cemetery on Staten Island in 1938.
See also
In Spanish: E. Lilian Todd para niños
