| Edward Bayard Heath | |
|---|---|
| Born | Edward Bayard Heath 1888 Brooklyn, New York |
| Employer | Glen Curtiss |
| Known for | Heath Parasol, E.B. Heath Aerial Vehicle Co. |
| Home town | Amsterdam, New York |
| Spouse | Mary Heath |
| Parents | Corrie Heath |
Edward Bayard Heath ( 1888–1931 ) was an American Aircraft engineer.[1]
Heath designed and built a series of aircraft starting in 1909 with a Bleriot inspired monoplane. His first flight was on 10 October 1909 at Amsterdam New York resulting in a broken landing gear. On July 4, 1910 Heath made $500 in appearance fees and $200 in photogragh revenues from his aircraft that flew a scant 3 feet above the ground.[2] 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 bult a second aircraft with Walter Eales making short aerial runs. After purchasing the Chicago based Bates Aeroplane Co 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 WWI, and later the popular Heath Parasol series of aircraft powered with Henderson Motorcycle engines.[3]
Heath died in February 1931 in an aircraft accident testing a new low-wing aircraft design.[4]
Heath's company was eventually purchased and after WWII, changed it's product to kit electronics. It still is in business as Heathkit.