Edward Bayard Heath

Edward Bayard Heath (November 17, 1888 – November 1, 1931) was an American Aircraft engineer.[1][2]

a Heath Parasol on display
Edward Bayard Heath
BornNovember 17, 1888
Brooklyn, New York
DiedFebruary 1, 1931(1931-02-01) (aged 42)
Maine Township, Cook County, Illinois
Other namesEdward Baird Heath
EmployerGlen Curtiss
Known forHeath Parasol, E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Co.
Home townAmsterdam, New York
Spouse(s)Berna Heath
Parent(s)Clark Heath
Ada M. Johnson

Biography

He was born on November 17, 1888 in Brooklyn, New York to Clark Heath and Ada M. Johnson.[3]

Heath designed and built a series of aircraft starting in 1909 with a Bleriot-inspired monoplane. His first flight was on 10 October 1909 in Amsterdam, New York resulting in a broken landing gear. On July 4, 1910 Heath made $500 in appearance fees and $200 in photograph revenues from his aircraft that flew a 3 feet above the ground.[4]

In 1911 Heath went to work for Glen Curtiss in Hammondsport, New York as a motorcycle mechanic, next to the Curtiss aircraft factory where he built a second aircraft with Walter Eales making short aerial runs. After purchasing the Chicago-based Bates Aeroplane Company in 1912, Heath founded the E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Co., later becoming the Heath Airplane Company.

His company produced the Heath Feather and Heath Favorite after World War I, and later the Heath Parasol series of aircraft powered with Henderson Motorcycle engines.[5]

Heath died on February 1, 1931 in Maine Township, Cook County, Illinois.[3] He was in an aircraft accident while testing a new low-wing aircraft design.[6]

Legacy

Heath's company was eventually purchased and after World War II, changed its product to kit electronics. Heathkit filed for bankruptcy and closed in 2012. As of 2019, the company has a live website at www.heathkit.com..

References
  1. "Edward Bayard Heath". Retrieved 22 March 2011.
  2. He wrote his name as "Edward Baird Heath" in the World War I draft registration in 1918.
  3. Illinois Death Index
  4. Popular Aviation: 86. December 1931. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. "Heathkit". Retrieved 22 April 2014.
  6. Joseph P Juptner. U.S. Civil Aircraft: Vol. 5 (ATC 401 - ATC 500).
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