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interest in the automobile business and subsequently became a dealer of Cadillac cars. Frank and Joseph became absorbed in the early development of aviation and by 1908 had built both a plane and an engine for it.

Particulars of this first plane are lacking but reportedly it was a monoplane. When completed they started taxying and grass cutting practice in a field near Iselin, New Jersey and later that year both had succeeded in making brief straightaway hops with this machine.

The Aeronautical Society was formed in New York City in July, 1908 by a group of aeronautical enthusiasts interested in the art of aviation and Frank became one of the original members in an effort to further his knowledge of the new science through this association.

The brothers continued their experiments at Rahway through 1909, evidently financed by the earnings from the garage. Frank became the plane and parts designer and soon became the one most interested in flying. Joseph developed into the mechanical genius of the group in making parts and engines for their planes, and James turned more to the managing and financing of their experiments. There is evidence that there were more than one plane built during this period and they were developing a new system of control that would not infringe on the Wright Brothers patents.

About this time Joseph was also working on an 8 cylinder, Vee-type, water-cooled 60 H.P. engine. This had a 4 inch bore and 4 inch stroke with individual brass jacketed cast iron cylinders with concentric valves in the head, the exhaust being mechanically operated, the intake automatic. When. completed it weighed 240 pounds and proved to be a very rugged, dependable engine which was used for some time in their flying experiments.

In November, 1909 the Aeronautical Society held a public exposition of their various aviation experiments at Morris Park in New York City, and Frank was chosen as one of the judges to rate the exhibits. That year several members of the Society built and were experimenting with varying types of aircraft, the majority of which failed to show much promise of success. Apparently one of the best of the machines

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