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CHARLES F. WILLARD
Early Curtiss Aviator - Engineer - Manufacturer

Charles F. Willard was born at Melrose, Massachusetts, October 13, 1883. He attended school at Hull, Massachusetts, high school in New York, then went to Harvard University. Mechanically inclined, he loved automobiles and soon became an expert on engines.

From 1904 to 1907 Willard operated a shop in New York, specializing in the care and maintenance of foreign cars. then in 1907 he was sent to Europe to investigate serious difficulties with the French Rocket-Schneider cars at their factory. During this period Willard became acquainted with Stanley Y. Beach who was Automotive Editor of Scientific America Magazine. Beach was also a member of the early Aeronautic Society and through him Willard became interested in aviation.

The Society was composed of aviation enthusiasts, who discussed and encouraged work on airplanes and related problems, workshop facilities were provided and there were grounds for flight attempts and engines available for the use of members. The famous Morris Race Track sheds and grounds had been leased for their activities and many ideas and opinions proposed. Various types of aircraft were under construction, and during the winter months of 1908-1909, Willard assisted Beach in building an airplane patterned somewhat after the French Antoinette monoplane, but nothing of note came from this project.

About this time the Society decided to purchase an airplane to promote flying, and during January, 1909, they entered into a contract with Glenn Curtiss, who was to build and deliver a plane, and instruct two members to fly it. This was the first commercial plane built by Curtiss, and he delivered it to the Society on the 16th of June. This plane, name the "Golden Flyer" by [[strikethrough]] a [[/strikethrough]] the group, was quite an improvement over earlier Curtiss planes, but still retained the front elevator and was equipped with a 4-cylinder, 25 h.p. water-cooled engine.