Reflections on the Glenn Curtiss Story By Jay Rollins

(Note: The Glenn Curtiss story is one of the web video segments created as a companion to the broadcast of WPBT's original production, Miami: Reflections on the River)

Reflections on the Glenn Curtiss Story By Jay Rollins

IIt’s a long way from childbirth.  After all, conception and gestation for the Glenn Curtiss mini-documentary was fewer than six weeks.  But then again, the extensive research, interview preps, script-writing, and hectic cross-state travel could be likened to morning sickness.  And my simultaneous duties as host, camera, light, and soundman followed up by the edit of some 100 shots for the final cut was certainly formidable labor.  Given that reality, one could easily conclude the “birth” of the Glenn Curtiss mini-doc was an intensely painful, one-man-show “delivery.”  But the pleasure of sharing the Glenn Curtiss Story with you far exceeds the effort expended to produce it.

Indeed at each stage of production, I found myself deeply inspired by the life of Curtiss.  More than an inventor, he was a visionary; a man whose many aviation designs remain relevant even today.  At the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, Florida, I bore witness how the ingenious aileron design employed on his early aircraft still survives on today’s Navy Blue Angels FA-18 jets and even the Boeing 747.  Curtiss’ ailerons are a mechanical system left virtually unchanged for nearly 100 years.  Curtiss was so prolific an inventor that I chose not to squeeze in his numerous non-aviation inventions, including the travel trailer, in the eight-minute piece.
In addition to feeling inspired, I experienced many happy surprises during the production process.  While sifting through period photographs at the Historical Museum of Southern Florida, I came across a find which left me awe-struck.  I flipped one of the photographs over to discover an inscription penned by Curtiss himself.  Suddenly, I realized I was holding an original photograph taken by the old man himself!  Other photographs showing Curtiss at play and posing with his son reveals a man who was more than a mechanical genius; he was a real person who loved fun and family like anyone else.   
At the restoration site of the Curtiss mansion in Miami Springs, Florida, I asked the project chairperson, Joellen Phillips, What’s the “dirt” on Glenn Curtiss?  But she offered none.  In fact by nearly all accounts, Curtiss was a decent man of high character.
So notwithstanding the discomfort of my production “pregnancy”; I hope you share my sense of awe and delight at celebrating the largely unknown genius of Glenn Hammond Curtiss.

Visit Jay Rollins

Comments

[Frank A. Rollins]

Too often important contribions to the enhancement of life, are overlooked.One would think an invention that has not had a challange to make it archaic would have been more publicized. Jay deserves plaudits for a service of bringing such an informatiive story to light.

[kevin]

hu was he and wy did he kill his family and wy had a good life