E. Lilian Todd
Encyclopedia
E. Lilian Todd originally from Washington, D.C and later New York City
, was a self-taught inventor who grew up with a love for mechanical devices. The New York Times issue of November 28, 1909, identifies her as the first woman in the world to design airplanes, which she started in 1906 or earlier. In 1910, her latest design flew, test-piloted by Didier Masson
.
in 1865. The 1870 U.S. census lists her as "Lily," living with her mother Mary Todd and her sister Cora in the U.S. capital. Her father is not mentioned in the census, however. In the November 1909 issue of Woman's Home Companion
, an autobiographical article mentions her grandfather (probably on her mother's side), from whom she inherited her mechanical and inventive talent.
(she claims in her article that she became the first woman to receive an appointment in the executive department of that state). Then she went back to New York to continue her work with patents, began to study law, and became a member of the first Woman's Law Class of New York University (circa 1890). In 1896, she was issued a patent for a typewriter copy-holder (number 553292) which she shared with George W. Parker. Todd later worked as a secretary to the director-general of the Women's National War Relief Association
during the Spanish-American War
.
After about 1903, Todd turned her attention to "mechanical and aeronautic toys." She was further inspired after seeing airships in London and at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition
in St. Louis, as well as a sketch of an airplane in a 1906 Parisian newspaper. Later that year, Todd attracted national attention when she exhibited her first design at Madison Square Garden
in an aero show. Philanthropist Olivia Sage
, the widow of financier and politician Russell Sage
, was among those interested in Todd's work. Mrs. Sage became Todd's patron and gave her $7,000 to design and build her aircraft. Todd's first full-sized biplane began construction as early as the fall of 1908 by the Wittemann Brothers
of Staten Island
.
The framework was constructed out of straight-grained spruce, the upper coverings of the wings were muslin, the lower covering was seven-ounce army duck. Piano wire held the wings together. The airplane had a two-people seat arrangement. The completed machine was thirty-six feet in length, plus two small “flexing” planes extending two feet further on each side. A steering wheel controlled these two small planes and the twelve-foot double horizontal plane in front, which allowed for the plane to turn right or left, and up or down. Another “temporary” plane was added between the two main surfaces for additional sustaining surface because, as Todd pointed out, there was a lack of suitable American-made light motors. For the flight, a modified Rinek motor was used.
Realizing the importance of future aviation, she started the first Junior Aero Club in 1908 to foster the education of future aviators. The club met at Todd's residence in New York, where her living room had become her workshop and was decorated by aircraft models of her own design and other mechanical toys. Todd was also credited with inventing and patenting "a cabinet with a folding table, a cannon to be fired at noon by sun power, a unique sundial, and an aeolian harp device to be fastened in a tree where it would be played by the wind."
As she mentions in the 1909 article, Todd wanted to pilot her own airplane and applied for permission at the Richmond Borough Commissioner of Public Works. She also considered applying for a permit to fly it anywhere in the United States. Her permit was denied, however. Nevertheless, her plane took flight on November 7, 1910, and flew twenty feet over the Garden City aviation field with Didier Masson
as the pilot.
Todd's career in airplane design ended abruptly after she was hired by Mrs. Sage in January of 1911, despite Mrs. Sage's interest in aviation and the financing of Todd's biplane.
, California
, during the first half of the 1920s, as noted in the Voter Registrations of 1924 and onward. She moved to Corona Del Mar
, California, in 1936. Todd died on September 26, 1937, at Huntington Memorial Hospital
in Pasadena. Her body was cremated and her remains were sent to New York, but her burial site remains unknown.
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, was a self-taught inventor who grew up with a love for mechanical devices. The New York Times issue of November 28, 1909, identifies her as the first woman in the world to design airplanes, which she started in 1906 or earlier. In 1910, her latest design flew, test-piloted by Didier Masson
Didier Masson
Didier Masson was a pioneering French aviator. He was born in Asnières, France. He died and was buried in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. Among his adventures was his life as a pioneering barnstormer, being the second flier in history to bomb a surface warship, as well as combat service in the Lafayette...
.
Childhood
E. Lilian Todd (E. stands for Emma) was born Washington, D.C.Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
in 1865. The 1870 U.S. census lists her as "Lily," living with her mother Mary Todd and her sister Cora in the U.S. capital. Her father is not mentioned in the census, however. In the November 1909 issue of Woman's Home Companion
Woman's Home Companion
Woman's Home Companion was an American monthly publication, published from 1873 to 1957. It was highly successful, climbing to a circulation peak of more than four million during the 1930s and 1940s....
, an autobiographical article mentions her grandfather (probably on her mother's side), from whom she inherited her mechanical and inventive talent.
Adulthood
Todd received her education in Washington, D.C. and taught herself typewriting to earn a living. Her first job was at the Patent Office, but left two years later to work in the office of the governor of PennsylvaniaPennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
(she claims in her article that she became the first woman to receive an appointment in the executive department of that state). Then she went back to New York to continue her work with patents, began to study law, and became a member of the first Woman's Law Class of New York University (circa 1890). In 1896, she was issued a patent for a typewriter copy-holder (number 553292) which she shared with George W. Parker. Todd later worked as a secretary to the director-general of the Women's National War Relief Association
Ellen Hardin Walworth
Ellen Hardin Walworth was an American author, lawyer, and activist who was a passionate advocate for the importance of studying history and historic preservation. Walworth was one of the founders of the Daughters of the American Revolution and was the organization's first secretary general...
during the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
.
After about 1903, Todd turned her attention to "mechanical and aeronautic toys." She was further inspired after seeing airships in London and at the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition
Louisiana Purchase Exposition
The Louisiana Purchase Exposition, informally known as the Saint Louis World's Fair, was an international exposition held in St. Louis, Missouri, United States in 1904.- Background :...
in St. Louis, as well as a sketch of an airplane in a 1906 Parisian newspaper. Later that year, Todd attracted national attention when she exhibited her first design at Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
in an aero show. Philanthropist Olivia Sage
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage
Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage was an American philanthropist. Upon the death of her husband Russell Sage she received a fortune estimated at more than $50,000,000, to be used as she saw fit...
, the widow of financier and politician Russell Sage
Russell Sage
Russell Sage was a financier, railroad executive and Whig politician from New York, United States. As a frequent partner of Jay Gould in various transactions, he amassed a fortune, which passed to his second wife, Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage, when he died...
, was among those interested in Todd's work. Mrs. Sage became Todd's patron and gave her $7,000 to design and build her aircraft. Todd's first full-sized biplane began construction as early as the fall of 1908 by the Wittemann Brothers
Wittemann brothers
Adolph Wittemann and Charles Rudolph Wittemann were early aviation pioneers.-Biography:They were the children of Emily Wittemann of Missouri. Their father, who died prior to 1910, was from Germany. Charles and Adolph had a company: C. & A. Wittemann of Staten Island, New York. At Teterboro they...
of Staten Island
Staten Island
Staten Island is a borough of New York City, New York, United States, located in the southwest part of the city. Staten Island is separated from New Jersey by the Arthur Kill and the Kill Van Kull, and from the rest of New York by New York Bay...
.
The Airplane
- "The outline of the machine […] is based on a minute study of the wings of the albatross in the Museum of Natural History. The wings or planes of my machine are curved both lengthwise and crosswise, in order to deflect the air when it strikes the planes."
The framework was constructed out of straight-grained spruce, the upper coverings of the wings were muslin, the lower covering was seven-ounce army duck. Piano wire held the wings together. The airplane had a two-people seat arrangement. The completed machine was thirty-six feet in length, plus two small “flexing” planes extending two feet further on each side. A steering wheel controlled these two small planes and the twelve-foot double horizontal plane in front, which allowed for the plane to turn right or left, and up or down. Another “temporary” plane was added between the two main surfaces for additional sustaining surface because, as Todd pointed out, there was a lack of suitable American-made light motors. For the flight, a modified Rinek motor was used.
Realizing the importance of future aviation, she started the first Junior Aero Club in 1908 to foster the education of future aviators. The club met at Todd's residence in New York, where her living room had become her workshop and was decorated by aircraft models of her own design and other mechanical toys. Todd was also credited with inventing and patenting "a cabinet with a folding table, a cannon to be fired at noon by sun power, a unique sundial, and an aeolian harp device to be fastened in a tree where it would be played by the wind."
As she mentions in the 1909 article, Todd wanted to pilot her own airplane and applied for permission at the Richmond Borough Commissioner of Public Works. She also considered applying for a permit to fly it anywhere in the United States. Her permit was denied, however. Nevertheless, her plane took flight on November 7, 1910, and flew twenty feet over the Garden City aviation field with Didier Masson
Didier Masson
Didier Masson was a pioneering French aviator. He was born in Asnières, France. He died and was buried in Mérida, Yucatan, Mexico. Among his adventures was his life as a pioneering barnstormer, being the second flier in history to bomb a surface warship, as well as combat service in the Lafayette...
as the pilot.
Todd's career in airplane design ended abruptly after she was hired by Mrs. Sage in January of 1911, despite Mrs. Sage's interest in aviation and the financing of Todd's biplane.
Later Years
After the death of Mrs. Sage, Todd moved to PasadenaPasadena, California
Pasadena is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Although famous for hosting the annual Rose Bowl football game and Tournament of Roses Parade, Pasadena is the home to many scientific and cultural institutions, including the California Institute of Technology , the Jet...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, during the first half of the 1920s, as noted in the Voter Registrations of 1924 and onward. She moved to Corona Del Mar
Corona del Mar, Newport Beach, California
Corona del Mar or CdM is a neighborhood in the affluent city of Newport Beach, California. It generally consists of all land on the seaward face of the San Joaquin Hills south of Avocado Avenue to the city limits, as well as the development of Irvine Terrace, just north of Avocado...
, California, in 1936. Todd died on September 26, 1937, at Huntington Memorial Hospital
Huntington Memorial Hospital
Huntington Hospital is a 635-bed not-for-profit hospital in Pasadena, California. It is named for Southern California businessman and booster Henry E...
in Pasadena. Her body was cremated and her remains were sent to New York, but her burial site remains unknown.