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Title: |
Herbert C. Osborne Papers |
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Repository: |
Wright State University Libraries Special Collections and Archives
Phone: 937-775-2092 http://www.libraries.wright.edu/special/ |
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Creator: |
Osborne, Herbert C. |
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Dates: |
1922-1927 |
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Quantity: |
.21 linear feet |
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Abstract: |
Osborne held a variety of engineering positions at McCook Field in Dayton from 1918 until 1924. His papers include diaries covering the years 1922-1923, photographs taken while he was working at McCook, and a few miscellaneous papers about his career up until 1927. The diaries record his daily activities at the field and at home, and the 79 photographs include images of aircraft, dirigibles and individuals. |
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Identification: |
MS-264 |
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Language: |
The records are in English |
Herbert C. Osborne graduated from Dartmouth College in 1913, with a degree in civil engineering. In January of 1918, at the age of 27, he accepted an aero draftsmen position at McCook Field in Dayton, Ohio with a salary of $1800.
In November of 1918 Herbert took his first airplane ride, attaining an altitude of 16,400 ft. in a Bristol. In October of 1920, he took his second ride, photographs of which can be found within the collection.
On October 9, 1919 he met his future wife, Elsie Barker, at the field. They became engaged on November 20, 1919 and were married on June 6, 1920. Their daughter, Marjorie, was born January 25, 1923.
In April 1919, Osborne was transferred to the Power Plant as Assistant Chief of the Fuel Systems Branch. In April of 1920, he became chief of the Fuel Systems Branch at McCook Field. In this position he was in charge of testing aircraft fuel systems. His diaries from 1922 and 1923 offer some glimpses of the type of work this would have entailed. Osborne remained in this position until January of 1924, when he resigned citing higher pay as his reason for leaving.
In March of 1924 he moved to Baltimore, Maryland to begin his new job with Blackmer Rot. Pump Company as District Manager. In July he was promoted to Chief Engineer, Assistant Manager and moved to Petoskey, Michigan. In October of 1925, he moved again, this time to a new Blackmer Plant in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Series I contains Herbert Osborne's diaries from 1922 and 1923. In them he recorded his daily actions, even including the day's weather. However, for the most part, this information is not very detailed concerning his work. Oftentimes he simply states that he worked on a particular project one day, or said if a particular project was giving the workers problems. The diaries can offer insight into the daily activities of a McCook field employee, as well as Dayton residents during this time period.
Series II contains 79 photographs taken, it is assumed, while Osborne was working at McCook Field. They include photographs of aircraft, dirigibles, and individuals. Of note are photographs of the Barling Bomber, including a photograph of its Fuel Pump Unit, Wright and Curtiss pursuit aircraft, Fokker T-2, and the U.S. Army dirigible "Roma". Also included are photographs of Mr. Barling, Lt. Kelly, Lt. MacCready, and the entire Power Plant Section.
Section III contains miscellaneous material including a chronological listing of events in Osborne's life between 1916 and 1927. Also included in this series are several pay raise slips and a description of his first aeronautical experience.
Copyright restrictions may apply. Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
There are no restrictions on accessing materials in this collection.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Box #, Folder #], MS-264,Herbert C. Osborne Papers, Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio.
The papers of Herbert C. Osborne were accessioned into the Wright State University Department of Archives and Special Collections in July 1994. They were donated by Marjorie Osborne Nicol, the daughter of Herbert Osborne.
The finding aid is available on the Special Collections & Archives, Wright State University Libraries web site at
https://wright.libraryhost.com/repositories/2/resources/181.