Charles Taylor II To Speak At Aviation Industry Week
Cygnus Expositions, producers of Aviation Industry Week,
announced that Charles Taylor II, the great grandson of Orville and
Wilbur Wright's mechanic Charles Taylor, will speak at the upcoming
show, to be held May 18-20, 2004, in Las Vegas (NV). Charles Taylor
worked for the Wright brothers for 29 years and made the airplane
engine that powered their first flight. Taylor II will present an
historical slideshow about his grandfather, Charles Taylor, on
Wednesday, May 19, at Aviation Industry Week in a session hosted by
Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine.
In 1902, Orville and Wilbur Wright were about to introduce
mankind to powered flight, but first they needed an engine. Charles
Taylor helped the Wrights make sketches of various parts for the
engine, and then spent six weeks building the engine by hand. The
engine worked perfectly. Taylor remained with the Wrights for the
next 29 years. He was the first airplane mechanic, the first
airport manager, the first airplane crash investigator, the chief
mechanic on the first cross country flight, a signing witness to
the first army airplane contract, the owner of the first American
flag to fly on an airplane, and the only person to work for both
the Wright brothers and Henry Ford in the Wright Bicycle Shop.
Taylor died in 1956 at the age of 87. He was a true American
hero.
"We are quite thrilled to have the great grandson of the first
aircraft maintenance mechanic at our gathering to honor this
pioneer in aircraft maintenance," says Greg Napert, Publisher,
Aircraft Maintenance Technology magazine. "It's long overdue that
the aviation maintenance community be educated on this American
hero who contributed so clearly to the success of the Wright
brothers' aircraft. Without aircraft maintenance professionals,
airplanes would not have become the safe and efficient form of
transportation that they are today. Charles Taylor II will share
family stories and photos of his great grandfather in a fascinating
and engaging slide show."
"I look forward to attending the Aviation Industry week
conference and sharing the story of my great-grandfather, Charles
Taylor," says Charles Taylor II. "What is most important is that we
recognize today's mechanics who have many of the same qualities as
Charles Taylor. I will be honored to meet all of you and bring the
Charles Taylor story alive."
Taylor II will be available for questions and autographs at AMT
magazine's booth following his presentation. Taylor II is currently
owner of Taylor Microcomputer Consulting Inc., in Chicago
(IL).