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in the experimental development of a gyroscopic aeroplane stabilizer at the Sperry Gyroscope Company. This work started in 1910 and both Glenn Curtiss and the Navy were interested in the project. Lawrence had one of these early units at Hammondsport in 1912 where some flight tests were conducted in a Curtiss plane but it lacked some essential requirements.

In March, 1913 he was at the Curtiss Camp at North Island, San Diego, California with a revised unit for test. There it was installed in a flying boat and flight tests were started by Lt. L. E. Goodier, with Lawrence as passenger and observer. This work was soon interrupted when the hull was badly damaged. The unit was then installed in a land machine and flight tests resumed, flown by Lt. H. Geiger. On March 23d and 24th flight demonstrations were successfully made before Government officials. On March 31st Geiger, carrying Sperry as passenger, demonstrated the stabilizer for over one hour and tried to capsize the plane in flight, but the equipment worked perfectly. Some unusual things were done and its future success seemed assured.

The Sperry Company then bought a Curtiss flying boat, and during the summer of 1913 Lawrence was a student at the Curtiss School at Hammondsport, New York, while still working with gyro developments. Apparently he took both land and water instruction and by September was flying well. His instructor on flying boats was Francis "Doc" Wildman. Lawrence was an apt pupil and rapidly became a very proficient pilot. He passed his tests for an F.A.I. Hydro License and was granted Certificate No. 11, dated October 29th, 1913.

Sperry continued gyro stabilizer tests in California during the fall months with his new Curtiss flying boat, then in mid-January, 1914 sailed for France with his machine to compete in the International Aeroplane Safety Contest. There he established his operations at Bezons, on the Serine River, near Paris, and was flying almost daily in May. On June 21st he astounded the French contest authorities during his magnificent demonstrations. Flying low, and in full view of the judges, Sperry stood up in the machine with his arms upraised, while his mechanic climbed well out on the wings, first one side, then the other, the machine maintaining a perfectly even keel at all times. As a result of his demonstrations Sperry won

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