Robert Edison Fulton, Jr.

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For other persons named Robert Fulton, see Robert Fulton (disambiguation).

Robert Edison Fulton, Jr. was an American inventor and adventurer, who was the grandson of Robert Fulton. He is known for having traveled around the world on a motorcycle and for several aviation related inventions. Fulton was also a professional photographer[1].

[edit] Inventions

During World War II, Fulton invented a training aid for aerial gunners [1]. After the war, he designed and built an airplane that was convertible to be an automobile, called the "Airphibian" [1]. It was not a commercial success.

During the 1950s, Fulton developed the Fulton surface-to-air recovery system, also called the "skyhook" for the CIA, the US Navy, and the US Air Force. It was a system that was used to pick up people from the ground with an aircraft [2][3]. It was used by the US Air Force until 1996.

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[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c EXPLORATIONS - Robert Edison Fulton Jr.. Voice of America (2004-09-24). Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
  2. ^ Robert Fulton's Skyhook and Operation Coldfeet. Central Intelligence Agency. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.
  3. ^ Fulton Surface-to-Air Recovery System. National Museum of the United States Air Force. Retrieved on 2007-03-27.