EXPLORE FURTHER

Lyman Gilmore Jr. was born in the state of Washington on June 11, 1874. He was the sixth of eleven kids. When he was young he was not interested in farm work. He loved to watch the birds and listen to his mother read the Bible. He also liked to make objects out of paper that looked like birds.

Lyman left Washington in the 1890's because he wanted to prove that men could fly. He moved to Red Bluff, California where he bought a sheep ranch. His first plane was a glider with an eighteen foot wingspan. The glider flew when pulled by a horse. During its first flight the horse became frightened when he saw the glider flying over him and ran away.

In the 1900's, Gilmore moved to Colfax, California. He kept busy gold mining and inventing an aircraft that he could attach to his newly patented steam engine. In May of 1902, he built a 32 foot plane that successfully flew as it was llifted by his steam-powered engine.

There were not very many witnesses present. Therefore, some people did not believe Lyman when he told them of his flight. Lyman Gilmore claimed that his flight took place months before the Wright Brothers historic flight at Kitty Hawk

In 1909, he gained the attention of the Union Newspaper who wrote, "Down at Colfax, they boast of a full-fledged aviator who made a flight without breaking his neck." He continued to invent aircraft throughout his life.

Lyman Gilmore claimed that he flew his steam powered aircraft in Grass Valley,California, in 1902. He spent the rest of his life trying to prove that he was the first person to fly a powered aircraft. His airplanes and hangers burned to the ground in 1935 so there is little evidence remaining today that could prove he was the first person to fly a manned aircraft. Many people have different opinions about the date and distance of the flight. If you are interested in learning more about Lyman Gilmore, there is a film of his famous flight located at the Smithsonian Institue in Washington D.C.

Do you think Lyman Gilmore was the first person to fly an airplaine?

The Other Guys
(Wilbur & Orville)

National Air & Space Museum