Learn about Octive Chanute, a pioneer of aviation who experimented with gliders in the dunes and contributed to the Wright brothers’ success.
Upon retirement retired from his engineering business in 1889, Chanute had the opportunity for more personal study and experiment in aeronautics.
In 1896 at Dune Park, Indiana, about 60 miles from his home in Chicago, he began experiments with gliders, three of which were of his own design and two designed by others. Chanute’s advanced age prevented him from piloting them himself but his scientific observations of the glides by his assistants, and his generous sharing of the results broadened interest and advanced the art.
Not satisfied just to record the achievements of others, Chanute began in 1896 to search for automatic flight control by designing and building a series of gliders which an assistant successfully flew along Lake Michigan’s shore. In 1901 he visited the Wright Brothers and encouraged them in their gliding experiments, typifying his role as a collector and disseminator of aeronautical information and demonstrating his faith in the ultimate success of man to achieve powered flight.
Kudos go to Octave Chanute, for his outstanding contributions to aviation through his compilation of the aeronautical accomplishments of the pioneers of flight, his demonstration of successful man-carrying gliders, and his valuable counsel to others engaged in flight research, this award is most solemnly and respectfully dedicated.
Event Held on Sunday, August 21, 2022 from 1pm – 2:30pm, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Visitor Center, 1215 N. State Road 49, Chesterton. Facemasks may be required. Call 219-395-1882 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/indu
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Susie Young Baxter, CEO, has published PanoramaNOW Magazine for 31 years. Her hobbies are Camping, Boating, Hiking, Nature, Gardening and Outdoor Activities. She is an Artist, Graphic Designer, an Avid Seamstress, Dabbles in Homemade Crafts and Landscaping. Since her Father was a Health Teacher, she also likes homeopathic Health Solutions. Since blogging started over 10 years ago, PanoramaNow has been added to Newsbreak – a national news affiliate.
