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[[stamp]] FROM THE HAROLD & MARVEL MOREHOUSE AVIATION PIONEERS COLLECTION 
NATIONAL AIR & SPACE MUSEUM [[/stamp]]

OSCAR A. SOLBRIG

Early Curtiss Aviator - Plane Builder

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Oscar A. Selbrig was born in Saxony, Germany, May 1, 1873. He attended schools there and took up the machinist trade, then came to the United States about 1891 and settled in Washington, Iowa. There he established a small machine shop doing miscellaneous local work, which led to his taking on the job of assisting W. F. Brinton to build an airship.

Brinton, a local man, was an amusement and entertainment promotor and evidently wanted to add an airship to his attractions. During this period Selbrig became known in the bicycle industry and gained prominence as a cycle racer. The Brinton airship was built in Selbrig's shop and he did all of the mechanical work and assisted in making the envelope, which was cigar shaped with wings on either side for control. A small engine and propeller drive arrangement furnished propulsion. 

Brinton announced that his airship would be ready for trials on September 20th, 1899, and due to much advance publicity it turned into a Fair Grounds Celebration. Stores closed and over 8,000 townspeople turned out to witness the event. Horse and bicycle races were added, with a band concert, all for 25-cents admission. The airship flight turned into a fiasco when it caught fire and burned completely, so Brinton returned to his previous business. This, however, was the start of Selbrig's 

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Transcription Notes:
Photo is of a mustached man with his hands on the steering wheel of an early aircraft.