George H. Prudden
Encyclopedia
George Henry Prudden, Jr. (1893 – January 20, 1964) was an American
aircraft engineer
. He was instrumental in designing the first all metal aircraft in America.
George and his brother Earl were interested in aviation from an early age. He was photographed by the St.Louis Post dispatch with an airplane model of his design in 1909.
On June 24, 1910, Prudden soloed a plane of his own design based on the Wright Flyer.
In WWI, Prudden served in the 74th Field Artillery.
Prudden graduated in the Class of 1920 from the University of Minnesota
. George was then recruited by William Bushnell Stout
, to help develop the Stout ST-1 all metal torpedo bomber for the U.S. Navy. George later designed the Stout 2-AT Pullman
, the first aircraft to make regularly scheduled airline flights, cargo flights, and commercial air mail flights.. Henry Ford fully purchased the Stout company in 1925, making it the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
. One of Prudden's first tasks was to to investigate the breakup of the USS Shenandoah
on behalf of Ford. Ford was very displeased when he saw that the effort was publicised in the Detroit Free Press
and cut Prudden.
In 1927, Prudden founded the Prudden-San Diego Airplane Company
, to manufacture an all-metal trimotor with Ryan supplied engines. In November 1928, Prudden left the company at the height of the depression and the company was renamed to the Solar Aircraft Company. The company Prudden founded is still active as Solar Turbines Incorporated
, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
.
Later, Pruden developed the Prudden-Whitehead monoplane with the Atlanta Aircraft Corporation. While in Atlanta, Prudden helped develop Candler Field, Atlanta.
In 1932, Prudden worked for Lockheed Aircraft where he helped engineer the Lockheed Vega
and Lockheed Orion
aircraft.
In World War II, Prudden managed the Ryan Aeronautical factory in San Diego, California
.
In 1961, Pruden became the President of the Early birds of Aviation.
He died on January 20, 1964.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
aircraft engineer
Aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering is the primary branch of engineering concerned with the design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft. It is divided into two major and overlapping branches: aeronautical engineering and astronautical engineering...
. He was instrumental in designing the first all metal aircraft in America.
Early life
He was born on February 18, 1893.George and his brother Earl were interested in aviation from an early age. He was photographed by the St.Louis Post dispatch with an airplane model of his design in 1909.
On June 24, 1910, Prudden soloed a plane of his own design based on the Wright Flyer.
In WWI, Prudden served in the 74th Field Artillery.
Prudden graduated in the Class of 1920 from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. George was then recruited by William Bushnell Stout
William Bushnell Stout
William Bushnell Stout was an inventor, designer whose work in automotive and aviation fields was notable. Stout designed an aircraft that eventually became the Ford Trimotor and was an executive at the Ford Motor Company.-Early years:William Bushnell Stout was born March 16, 1880 in Quincy,...
, to help develop the Stout ST-1 all metal torpedo bomber for the U.S. Navy. George later designed the Stout 2-AT Pullman
Stout 2-AT Pullman
The Stout 2-AT "Pullman" or "Air Pullman" was a single engine all-metal monoplane that was used for early airline travel and air mail transport in America.-Development:...
, the first aircraft to make regularly scheduled airline flights, cargo flights, and commercial air mail flights.. Henry Ford fully purchased the Stout company in 1925, making it the Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company
Stout Metal Airplane Division of the Ford Motor Company was an American aircraft manufacturer founded by William Bushnell Stout. The company was purchased by Ford Motor Company in 1924 and produced the Ford Trimotor. In the height of the Depression, Ford closed the aircraft design and production...
. One of Prudden's first tasks was to to investigate the breakup of the USS Shenandoah
USS Shenandoah (ZR-1)
USS Shenandoah was the first of four United States Navy rigid airships. It was built in 1922-1923 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, and first flew in September 1923. It developed the Navy's experience with rigid airships, even making the first crossing of North America by airship...
on behalf of Ford. Ford was very displeased when he saw that the effort was publicised in the Detroit Free Press
Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Free Press is the largest daily newspaper in Detroit, Michigan, USA. The Sunday edition is entitled the Sunday Free Press. It is sometimes informally referred to as the "Freep"...
and cut Prudden.
In 1927, Prudden founded the Prudden-San Diego Airplane Company
Solar Turbines
Solar Turbines Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., designs and manufactures industrial gas turbines for on- and off-shore electrical power generation, for marine propulsion and for producing, processing and transporting natural gas and oil. Solar Turbines is one of the...
, to manufacture an all-metal trimotor with Ryan supplied engines. In November 1928, Prudden left the company at the height of the depression and the company was renamed to the Solar Aircraft Company. The company Prudden founded is still active as Solar Turbines Incorporated
Solar Turbines
Solar Turbines Incorporated, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc., designs and manufactures industrial gas turbines for on- and off-shore electrical power generation, for marine propulsion and for producing, processing and transporting natural gas and oil. Solar Turbines is one of the...
, a wholly owned subsidiary of Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
.
Later, Pruden developed the Prudden-Whitehead monoplane with the Atlanta Aircraft Corporation. While in Atlanta, Prudden helped develop Candler Field, Atlanta.
In 1932, Prudden worked for Lockheed Aircraft where he helped engineer the Lockheed Vega
Lockheed Vega
|-See also:-References:NotesCitationsBibliography* Allen, Richard Sanders. Revolution in the Sky: Those Fabulous Lockheeds, The Pilots Who Flew Them. Brattleboro, Vermont: The Stephen Greene Press, 1964....
and Lockheed Orion
Lockheed Orion
The Lockheed Model 9 Orion was a single engine passenger aircraft built in 1931 for commercial airlines. It was the first airliner to have retractable landing gear and was faster than any military aircraft of that time. Designed by Richard A...
aircraft.
In World War II, Prudden managed the Ryan Aeronautical factory in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
In 1961, Pruden became the President of the Early birds of Aviation.
He died on January 20, 1964.