Albin K. Longren: Henry Ford of the Air
Kansas: Richard Taylor, 1996. Limited Edition. Large Softcover. Very Good. Item #2325701
Limited edition. #201 of 250. Signed and numbered by author on front cover verso without inscription. Bottom corner of front plastic cover creased.
122 pp. Only 9 in OCLC. Bottom picture on front cover shows controversial company logo of a swastika. "Albin K. Longren designed and built a pusher-type biplane in 1911. After a few trials, the Topeka I made history with a brief flight September 2, 1911; the first Kansas-made aircraft to actually fly. Longren flew throughout the Midwest as a barnstormer. For thousands of mid-westerners, the 'Birdman of Topeka,' as Longren became known, was their first encounter of a man in flight. He made a total of 1,372 exhibition flights from 1911 to 1914 without a major mishap. Longren met Dolly Trent at a fair in Minneapolis where was making exhibition flights. They were married in 1914, and Dolly assisted with the airplane factory. The Topeka factory was the first successful aircraft manufacturing firm in Kansas. A. K. moved his aviation company to 1401 North Winfield in Oakland, near the family home at 1333 Arter. There he began to design The New Longren. His new plane, Model AK, entered production in 1921 and was available by mail order. Designed for the individual owner, it was innovative and sturdier than earlier models; its wings folded to fit in a garage; it could be towed behind a car. The New York Times featured a photograph of A.K. filling the plane at a service station. Author Richard Taylor tells Longren's story through interviews with folks who knew him or saw him fly; picture postcards accompanied by explanatory text; newspaper clippings reproduced and put into context by the author. Taylor is best known as head of Kansas United Dry Forces and Kansans for Life at Its Best. He wrote an autobiography, I LOVE KANSAS. Book is staple bound in wraps with clear plastic protectors."
Price: $400.00