Robert E. Gross
Encyclopedia
Robert Ellsworth Gross was an American businessman involved in the field of aviation
. His first venture, the Viking Flying Boat Company, failed with the loss of the aircraft market brought on by the Great Depression
.
Gross was born in Newton, Massachusetts
. He attended St. George's School, Newport
and graduated in 1915. In 1932, a group of investors led by Robert and his brother Courtlandt S. Gross
bought the Lockheed Aircraft Company from the bankrupt Detroit Aircraft Corporation
, renaming it the Lockheed Corporation
. Robert Gross served as the corporation's president from 1934 to 1956.
During this period, the company was a major producer of P-38 Lightning
fighters for World War II
and Constellation
airliners after the war.
Gross died from pancreatic cancer
at the age of 64.
In the 2004 film The Aviator, the character of Robert Gross appeared in a brief scene, played by Brent Spiner
.
Aviation
Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...
. His first venture, the Viking Flying Boat Company, failed with the loss of the aircraft market brought on by the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
.
Gross was born in Newton, Massachusetts
Newton, Massachusetts
Newton is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States bordered to the east by Boston. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of Newton was 85,146, making it the eleventh largest city in the state.-Villages:...
. He attended St. George's School, Newport
St. George's School, Newport
St. George's School is a private, Episcopal, coeducational boarding school in Middletown, Rhode Island, USA, just east of the city of Newport. The school was founded in 1896 by the Rev. John Byron Diman, a member of a prominent Rhode Island family. It sits on a hill overlooking the Atlantic Ocean...
and graduated in 1915. In 1932, a group of investors led by Robert and his brother Courtlandt S. Gross
Courtlandt S. Gross
Courtlandt Sherrington "Cort" Gross was an American aviation pioneer and executive who served as a leading officer of Lockheed Corporation for 35 years. He retired as Chairman in 1967.-Life and career:...
bought the Lockheed Aircraft Company from the bankrupt Detroit Aircraft Corporation
Detroit Aircraft Corporation
The Detroit Aircraft Corporation was incorporated in Detroit, Michigan on July 10, 1922, as the Aircraft Development Corporation. The name was changed in 1929...
, renaming it the Lockheed Corporation
Lockheed Corporation
The Lockheed Corporation was an American aerospace company. Lockheed was founded in 1912 and later merged with Martin Marietta to form Lockheed Martin in 1995.-Origins:...
. Robert Gross served as the corporation's president from 1934 to 1956.
During this period, the company was a major producer of P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
fighters for World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and Constellation
Lockheed Constellation
The Lockheed Constellation was a propeller-driven airliner powered by four 18-cylinder radial Wright R-3350 engines. It was built by Lockheed between 1943 and 1958 at its Burbank, California, USA, facility. A total of 856 aircraft were produced in numerous models, all distinguished by a...
airliners after the war.
Gross died from pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
at the age of 64.
In the 2004 film The Aviator, the character of Robert Gross appeared in a brief scene, played by Brent Spiner
Brent Spiner
Brent Jay Spiner is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of the android Lieutenant Commander Data in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation and four subsequent films. His portrayal of Data in Star Trek: First Contact and of Dr...
.