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[[stamped]] FROM THE FLYING PIONEERS BIOGRAPHIES OF HAROLD E. MOREHOUSE [[/stamped]]

LINCOLN BEACHEY
Noted Pioneer Curtiss Exhibition Aviator

[[image - photograph of Lincoln Beachey in the cockpit of an airplane]]

Lincoln Beachey was born in San Francisco, California March 3d, 1887. He attended local schools and displayed early mechanical interests. He enjoyed cycling and this led to motorcycles, then to racing and he became an expert with motorcycle engines.
 
The first reports of the Wright Brothers successful flights thrilled Beachey and created a dream of the air within him that just had to be satisfied. He knew it would be some time before the aeroplane would be available so he turned to the balloon. With little knowledge of them he reportedly made a clumsy, ill-shaped type of captive balloon in 1904, called the "Rubber Cow," and it is reported that he made his first ascent with it at Idora Park, Oakland, California that year.

Through his experience with motorcycle engines and his interest in balloons he met the well known balloonist and dirigible man, Thomas S. Baldwin. Baldwin then taught Beachy how to make and operate them, and in October, 1905 Beachey operated Baldwin's powered dirigible balloon during the Lewis and Clark Exposition at Portland, Oregon, A 2 cylinder 7 H.P. Curtiss motorcycle engine was used and during the Exposition Beachey made 25 flights and returned to his base 23 times. He flew the airship down streets, landed on roof tops and carried mail. His brother, Hillery Beachey, was also with them operating the captive balloon to

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