Nova Scotian Institute of Science - Hall of Fame
- J. A. Douglas McCurdy
- Born: 1886, Baddeck, Nova Scotia
- Died: 1961
- Field: Aircraft designer and builder
Worked with A. G. Bell
and others of the Aerial Experiment Association in Baddeck on powered
heavier-than-air flight. Chief designer and builder, and ultimately first
pilot of the "Silver Dart", which made the first manned airplane flight* in
the British Empire (23 Feb. 1909). Was issued the first pilot's license in
Canada (1910), sent the first wireless message from an aircraft, and set
the world record for over-water flight in 1911. National Historic Person
of Canada, 1974.
* "Casey" Baldwin was the first British subject to fly, but this was at
the US base of the Aerial Experiment Association team in New York State, 12
March 1908, in "Red Wing".
Bibliography
Marble, Allan E.: Nova Scotians at Home and Abroad. Lancelot Press, Windsor, Nova Scotia, 1977.
MacBeath, G. 2004. Great Maritime achievers in science and technology. Goose Lane Editions, Fredericton, New Brunswick. 127 pp.