Ralph Hazlett Upson

Ralph Hazlett Upson (June 21, 1888 - August 13, 1968) was a pioneer in the aviation field, holding Airship Pilot's Certificate #7, Balloon Pilot's Certificate #48 and Pilot's License #10290.[1] He won the 1913 International Balloon Race (with Ralph Preston).[2] In the 1920s, he worked in the area of manned balloon flight at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company,[3] and went on to work at the Aircraft Development Corporation on his concept of a duraluminum-skinned airship which became the ZMC-2.[1] He was the second individual to win the Wright Brothers Medal (1929).

Biography

He was born in New York City on June 21, 1888 to Grace Hazlett, a physician; and William Ford Upson, a Wall Street attorney.[1] He died on August 13, 1968 at the age of 80 at Burien General Hospital in Burien, Washington. He had a heart attack while climbing Glacier Peak.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Ralph Hazlett Upson biographical notes". National Air and Space Museum. http://www.nasm.si.edu/research/arch/findaids/upson/rhu_sec_3.html. Retrieved 2010-12-26. 
  2. ^ Round the World Flight, The New York Times, May 13, 1919.
  3. ^ H. Green and E.N. Findley, Eds. (1920) Over There and Everywhere, U.S. Air Service 4(1), pp. 36.
  4. ^ "Ralph Upson, 80, Balloonist, Dies. Racing Champion Turned to Planes Later in Career". New York Times. August 15, 1968. http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F20815FD3B54157493C7A81783D85F4C8685F9. Retrieved 2010-12-26. "Ralph Hazlett Upson, aeronautical engineer who was a balloon-racing champion from 1913 to 1921, died Tuesday at Burien General Hospital. ..."