early aircraft

Watching the birdmen / Albert Levering., Political Cartoon

Illustration shows crowds of people in the grandstands and in the "Bleachers" section using various devices to be comfortable while watching an airshow, some recline on mattresses, others lean on sticks that pr... More

Robinson (American) falling into sea near Nice

Photo shows airplane of pilot and daredevil Hugh Armstrong Robinson (1881-1963) making a crash landing on water near Nice, France, 1912. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2009 and Metropolitan magazine, July 1912)

Meckler-Allen Aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows a biplane intended for transatlantic flight, built by John J. Meckler and C.A. Allen in 1912. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2012)

Sikhorsky [i.e., Sikirsky] Aeroplane RUSSIAN KNIGHT

Photograph shows the airplane, "Russian Knight" built by Igor Sikorsky (1889-1972) in the winter of 1912-1913. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011)

Flying Machines Aero Squadron, Mobilization Camp, Texas City, 1913

J180810 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Joseph M. Maurer; April 28, 1913.

Burgess tractor of Burgess Co. & Curtis, 100 HP Renault, sold Army Air...

View of pontoon biplane. Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. Photograph by USAAS. "3962 A.S." Ernest L. Jones Collection. Caption card tracings: Air Force, U.S.; Airplanes 1911-1919.

"America" - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows the launch of the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat airplane "America" on June 22, 1914 in Hammondsport, New York. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011 and Glenn Curtis: Pioneer of Flight, Cecil R. ... More

Lieut. Porte & Cabin of Transatlantic flyer

Photograph shows aviator John Cyril Porte with the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat airplane "America" which was launched on June 22, 1914. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011 and Glenn Curtis: Pioneer of Flight, ... More

Launch of "America" - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows the launch of the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat airplane "America" on June 22, 1914 in Hammondsport, New York. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011 and Glenn Curtis: Pioneer of Flight, Cecil R. ... More

Aviator officer of Germany - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows German officers with aviator and airplane during World War I. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011)

King & Queen Mary at aeroplane factory

Photograph shows King George V and Queen Mary visiting the Canbury Park Road airplane factory of Kingston Aviation during World War I. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2015)

FLECHERE, GEORGES. LIEUT. FRENCH ARMY, AVIATOR. WITH S.P.A.D. BIPLANE ...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a biplane aircraft, pilot, aviator, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

NATIONAL AERO COAST PATROL COMMN. CURTISS HYDROAEROPLANE OR FLYING BOA...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Wright Machine - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Title from unverified data provided by the National Photo Company on the negatives or negative sleeves. Date from negatives in same range. Gift; Herbert A. French; 1947. General information about the National P... More

Deutsche Luftkriegsbeute Ausstellung, München, 1918 / J.U. Engelhard, ...

Poster shows a German land/sea biplane, the "Wolfschen", flying over Africans(?) who appear to be reacting with fear. The text announces an exhibition in Munich of items captured in the air war and gives detail... More

Mrs. Goff at the airport. Mrs. Goff in two-seater bi-plane I

A black and white photo of a man in a plane. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Postmaster General Work and his assistants inspecting the Radio equipm...

Five men with the equipment in front of airplane. Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. In album: Washington, D.C., 1922, v. 4, Herbert E. French, National Photo Company. National ... More

[Charles Lindbergh with seven other men, including Bud Gurney(?), in f...

J299438 U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright by John M. Noble. Public domain photograph - group portrait, 20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Deutsche Luftkriegsbeute Ausstellung, München, 1918 / J.U. Engelhard.

Poster(two sections) shows view from back of a German biplane, "Delka"(?), with a pilot in the cockpit. The poster announces an exhibition in Munich of items captured in the air war and a garden concert, and gi... More

Bulletins, from January 4, 1909 to April 12, 1909

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, aeronautics, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Journal by Alexander Graham Bell, from September 2, 1901 to October 29...

[Otto Lilienthal glider, 1895] - Public domain image. Dry plate negati...

Title based on reference print. Copy negative of a plate from a book. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LOT 11512. Forms part of: Glass negatives from the Papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

George Burgess & Emily Schaefer - Glass negative photogrpah. Public do...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Lind Painter in a "Sommer" - aeroplane

Picryl description: Public domain image of a pilot, aviator, aircraft, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Bernasconi aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Deck of "Pennsylvania" showing Curtiss biplane

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Claude] Grahame-White in monoplane

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

LeBlanc's "Bleriot" - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Cockburn in Farman Biplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Public domain photograph of aircraft hangar, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Paulhan and flying machine in flight, Rheims

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Aerial photographs - Hanriot monoplane

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

British aviators consulting - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain...

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

C.K. Hamilton flying - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, aeronautics, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Harmon aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

[Side view of glider flying as a kite near the ground, Wilbur at left ...

Title from: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 48. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LO... More

[1901 glider soaring, photograph from an out of focus, water-damaged n...

Original negative is blurred. Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 49. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Or... More

[A glide with the double-rudder machine moving to the left, north slop...

Title from: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 52. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LO... More

[Flight 23: front view of the machine in flight to the right, Orville ...

Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 59. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy i... More

[E. Lillian Todd standing with her airplane]

Photoprint copyrighted by George Grantham Bain. This record contains data transcribed from item, and subsequent revisions. George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Caption card tracings: Women Emp... More

[Men examining airplane engine]

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Curtiss and a competitor at 1st Gordon Bennett Race, Rheims, France

Two biplanes in flight. Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. "4130 A.S." Copyright by M. Rol. Ernest L. Jones Collection. Caption card tracings: Geog.; Airplanes; BI; Ph.

F.L. de Riemsdyk and Glenn Curtiss standing by aeroplane

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

O. Wright and aeroplane, in flight

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, aeronautics, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Farman flying machine, in flight

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, aeronautics, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Wright aeroplane on starting track

Title and other information transcribed from caption card. LOT subdivision subject: Orville and Wilbur Wright aviation activities - Miscellaneous, 1908-1917. Portraits, planes, trophies; funeral of Wilbur, 1912... More

[Blériot's monoplane at Reims]. Photo by Bain News Service collection

George Grantham Bain Collection.

Burgess-Dunn Aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Woman in aeroplane ready for swimming, Pittsburgh

A man and a woman standing on a balcony. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Germany -- Captured French Plane -- Deperdussin Type

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Grahame White's Nieuport monoplane

Photo shows English aviator Claude Grahame-White (1879-1959). (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2009)

Army Aeroplane, San Antonio - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Meckler-Allen Aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an early aircraft, balloon, airship, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Swimming. Aeroplane swimming, Pittsburgh, Feb. 16, 1910

Photograph shows a woman standing on a railing, holding a bi-plane wing structure on her shoulders, possibly above a swimming pool; a man wearing shirt labeled "Sixth Wa[...]" is standing behind her, providing ... More

G.M. Heckscher's Curtiss Flying Boat

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Close-up view of airplane, including the pilot and passenger seats]

Title based on reference print. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LOT 11512. Forms part of: Glass negatives from the Papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

Ward says good by [i.e., goodbye] to General Grant

Photo shows aviator James J. Ward in New York at the start of the Hearst Transcontinental Flight, shaking hands with Major General Frederick Dent Grant (1850-1912). (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2009 and New... More

Latham flying over the Golden Gate

J151342 U.S. Copyright Office. Copyright by Pacific Photo & Art Co., S.F.

PECK, PAUL. COMMERCIAL AVIATOR. IN CURTISS TYPE PLANE; COLLEGE PARK

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Airplane] - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

[Woman and man next to airplane]

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Harry Bingham Brown, George Grantham Bain Collection

Full, seated in airplane, (4 - facing left - left side of face is most visible) - with passenger Isabel Patterson of Vancouver after breaking an American altitude record (5,300 feet). At Staten Island, N.Y. Tit... More

Porte & Hallett on "America" - Public domain portrait photograph

Photograph shows aviators John Cyril Porte and George E.A. Hallett at the launch of the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat airplane "America" on June 22, 1914 in Hammondsport, New York. (Source: Flickr Commons project... More

Naming "America" - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows the christening and launch of the Curtiss Model H Flying Boat airplane "America" on June 22, 1914 in Hammondsport, New York. Aviator John Cyril Porte is using a sledgehammer to smash the champa... More

Kantner after finish - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows aviator Harold Dewolf Kantner (1886-1973) after winning a race above the Hudson River, New York on July 4, 1914. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011 and New York Times, July 5, 1914)

Kantner aeroplane, George Grantham Bain Collection

Photograph shows airplane of aviator Harold Dewolf Kantner (1886-1973) during a race above the Hudson River, New York on July 4, 1914. (Source: Flickr Commons project, 2011 and New York Times, July 5, 1914) Tit... More

Art Smith and his aeroplane on the aviation field, Panama-Pacific Int....

J204178 U.S. Copyright Office Stereo copyrighted by the Keystone View Co. This record contains unverified, old data from caption card. Caption card tracings: Photog. Index; BI; Airplanes 1915; Exhibitions 1915;... More

Nur noch kurze Zeit. Deutsche Luftkriegsbeute Ausstellung ... / Max Ma...

Poster shows a black eagle diving after a bullet-ridden, badly damaged British biplane which is plunging to earth. Text announces, under the title, Now for a short time only, an exhibition of spoils from the ai... More

War exhibit -- N.Y. - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Photograph shows a Curtiss biplane at an exhibit by the National Security League which was part of the "Peace and Preparation Conference" held at the Hotel Astor in New York City in June 1915. (Source: Flickr C... More

NATIONAL AERO COAST PATROL COMMN. CURTISS HYDROAEROPLANE OR FLYING BOA...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

NATIONAL AERO COAST PATROL COMMN.: CURTISS HYDROAEROPLANE OR FLYING BO...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Wind flapping, aeroplane museum, 1/18/21

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Claude Graham White [i.e. Grahame-White] flying his Farman biplane alo...

Photograph shows crowds watching English aviator Grahame-White fly his Farman III biplane in front of the State, War & Navy building, Washington, D.C. "4995 A.S." Forms part of: Ernest L. Jones Collection.

Meetings of British, Arab, and Bedouin officials in Amman, Jordan, Apr...

Photographs show meetings between Arab, Bedouin, and British officials around April 17-27, 1921, at Amir Abdullah ibn Hussein's camp at Amman, Jordan. During these meetings British High Commissioner Herbert Sam... More

[Houd ini in scenes from "The grim game"]

Picryl description: Public domain vintage artistic photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Flying from London to Manchester [Wilbur Wright, The London Magazine, ...

The Wilbur and Orville Wright Papers is a collection of documents related to the Wright brothers, two American inventors who are credited with building and flying the first successful powered airplane. The coll... More

Promenade sur Paris en aeroplane / ND Phot.

Postcard shows an aerial view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris; seen through the framework of a biplane. No. 472. Gift; Marie Dechaux; 1958.

Bulletins, from January 4, 1909 to April 12, 1909

Alexander Graham Bell Papers. Public domain aerial photograph, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Bulletins, from January 4, 1909 to April 12, 1909

Public domain aerial photograph, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Bulletins, from January 4, 1909 to April 12, 1909

Public domain aerial photograph, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Engine of Bleriot - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

C. Murvin Wood, George Grantham Bain Collection

Aviator; full length, seated on airplane with his dog "Mona", (1 - left profile). Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). www (... More

Paulhan aeroplane taking off, Los Angeles, Calif.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

A. Santos-Dumont - Public domain portrait photograph

An old photo of a man standing next to an airplane. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

R. Clifford Durant, George Grantham Bain Collection

Aviator; h/s, inside his airplane with another man, (2 - facing left - left side of face is most visible). Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. George Grantham Bain Collection (Li... More

At Nice, Oehlschlager on Bleriot monoplane - Above is Farman aeroplane...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Arbre in Biplane at Reims - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of a biplane aircraft, pilot, aviator, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Locomotion aérienne - Louis Blériot, sur son monoplan

Louis Blériot in his monoplane. Public domain photograph - Portrait, United States, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Crowds at Indianapolis Speedway

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Accident: Paulhan at Reims - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, aviator, 1910s-1920s, early 20th-century aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

F.K. Lane, Jr., George Grantham Bain Collection

Full length, standing in front of airplane, (5 - facing front). Title and other information transcribed from caption card and item. George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Flight; Amer. Heritage ... More

McCurdy aeroplane - Glass negative photogrpah. Public domain.

Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Lind Painter in a "Sommer" - aeroplane

Forms part of: George Grantham Bain Collection (Library of Congress). Title from unverified data provided by the Bain News Service on the negatives or caption cards. General information about the George Grantha... More

[Wilbur Wright gliding from No. 2 Hill, west of the camp building]

Copy photograph taken from a photograph. Title from reference print. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LOT 11512. Forms part of: Glass negatives from the Papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright.

[Side view of Wilbur gliding in level flight, moving to right near bot...

Title from: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 53. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy in LO... More

[Wilbur gliding down steep slope of Big Kill Devil Hill; Kitty Hawk, N...

Title based on reference print and information in: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 53. Attributed to Wilbur and/... More

[Flight 82: Wilbur piloting at a considerable height, flying a distanc...

Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 58. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy i... More

[Start of the first flight of 1905, Orville Wright at controls of the ...

Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 59. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy i... More

[Flight 41: Orville flying to the left at a height of about 60 feet; H...

Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 59. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy i... More

[Flight 41: Orville flying to the left at a height of about 60 feet; H...

Title based on: Wilbur & Orville Wright, pictorial materials: a documentary guide / Arthur G. Renstrom. Washington: Library of Congress, 1982, p. 59. Attributed to Wilbur and/or Orville Wright. Reference copy i... More

The collapsed Wright airplane photographed just after it struck the gr...

The collapsed Wright airplane photographed just after it struck the ground. At Fort Meyer [sic], on Sept. 17, at a height of 75 feet, on a turn, one of the new nine foot propeller blades was broken. The machine... More