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FROM THE
FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES
OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE
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WILLIAM BADGER
Early Baldwin "Red Devil" Pilot

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  William Badger was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania October 19, 1884, son of wealthy parents. 
  He attended local schools, Lawrenceville, New Jersey Academy, and graduated from Princeton University.
  In his youth he loved automobiles and became an expert driver, developing into a wealthy sportsman. He was an expert polo player, then turned to automobile racing. After becoming professional he raced at many if the big name tracks of the country and made the acquaintance of track owners and the nation's prominent race promoters. 
  Among these was Louis Strang, owner of Overland Park, Kansas City, Missouri. This was a large public amusement park with race tracks, rides and concession stands. Strang also had balloon ascensions to attract crowds and was a close friend of America's famed balloonist, Captain Thomas S. Baldwin. Through Strang, Badger met and became acquainted with Captain Baldwin.
  In 1910 Badger's interest turned to aviation and he soon had a desire to leave the track and take to the air. He visited Baldwin at Mineola, Long Island, New York during the fall of 1910 to have a look at his aviation activities and was impressed. As a result Badger returned to Mineola about May 1st, 1911, bought a Baldwin plane and arranged for flight instruction. 
  Baldwin was preparing a new plane that spring called the "Red Devil", built

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