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were used extensively by the young airlines just being established as well as by the growing market for privately owned planes.

Always evident in Laird's accomplishments was his interest and participation in competitive flying and the building of special planes for such events. He designed and built special racing machines for such well known pilots as Jimmy Doolittle, Speed Holman, Ed Ballough, and Roscoe Turner who won many Reliability, Cross-Country and Trophy Races of that era. Laird's planes were known as the "Thoroughbreds of the Airways," and consistently demonstrated they had that extra something that repeatedly lead the pack in competition. During this period he also built and marketed several planes for private and business use including some 6-passenger types.

The Laird Company remained in business in Chicago until just before World War II when in July, 1941, he sold out to the Metal Door and Trim Compnay [[Company]] of LaPorte, Indiana, including all inventory, machinery and equipment. Laird served as Vice President of the firm and set up an aircraft division, known as the LaPorte Corporation, to do sub-contract work for major American plane manufacturers. There, through World War II, Laird supervised the production of many various parts and subassemblies for military Curtiss, Douglas, Martin, and Consolidated airplanes.

After World War II Laird retired in Chicago except for some brief sales promotion work for the Electrosnap Switch Company during 1949-1950. During this time he also operated Ashburn Airport, in which he owned an interest, for about one year before it was sold as a subdivision. Following this he retired permanently and moved to Florida to reside at Boca Raton. Additional Flying Licenses were granted Laird during his aviation career as follows: U. S. Air Mail No. 56, F.A.I. Annual No. 622 in 1930, F.A.I. Annual No. 277 in 1931, F.A.I. Annual No. 231 in 1932, and Department of Commerce Transport License No. 2137.

Flying Pioneer and Early Bird, Emil M. Laird devoted his entire life career to the development of early American aviation and is richly deserving of great

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