patents
Subject
Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
Scope Note: Grants made by a government to an inventor, assuring the inventor the sole right to make, use, and sell the invention for a certain period of time.
Found in 7 Collections and/or Records:
William Hough "Bill" Cook Jr. Papers
Collection
Identifier: 2017-10-26
Abstract
The William Hough “Bill” Cook, Jr. Papers are comprised of documents, photographs, newspaper clippings, and memorabilia pertaining to the life and work of Bill Cook, Jr. A significant portion of this collection is made up of correspondence, both personal and professional. Major topics include the Boeing high speed wind tunnel, the B-29, B-47, and B-17 bombers, the development of the YC-14 short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft, and research on supersonic transport.
Dates:
1925-2012; Majority of material found within 1938-1974
Found in:
The Museum of Flight Archives
William P. and Moya Olsen Lear Papers
Collection
Identifier: 2000-06-20
Abstract
William P. “Bill” Lear was a prolific inventor with dozens of patents for a variety of machines to his name but is most famous for his work in the aviation field. Moya Marie Olsen Lear was a philanthropist, businesswoman, and the wife of aviation pioneer Bill Lear. The collection documents Bill Lear's inventions and career in the fields of radio navigation, aircraft design, the 8-track player, and his efforts at a steam-powered turbine. Materials are predominantly affiliated with Lear’s many...
Dates:
1838-2001, undated; Majority of material found within 1939-1986
Found in:
The Museum of Flight Archives
Series VIII. William Lear Enterprises, Inc., circa 1968-1972
Series
Scope and Contents: William Lear Enterprises, Inc.
Series VIII: William Lear Enterprises, Inc. (WLE), gives little insight into the company’s activities. It includes only two employee resumes as well as a June 1972 certificate from Washoe County School District (Nevada) in appreciation of the company. There is also what appears to be an Italian language patent review, “dell’invenzione industrial dal titolo: Motore ad Induzione con Caratteristiche di mot,” for an induction motor patent. Note that there may be...
Dates:
circa 1968-1972
Series XI. Lear Motors Corp., 1968-1976, 1984-1999, undated
Series
Scope and Contents: Lear Motors Corporation
Series XI: Lear Motors Corporation (LMC) primarily documents the efforts of LMC in the development and production of steam-powered vehicles. Although LMC was incorporated in 1968 and sold in 1976, the bulk of materials fall within 1969-1973. Note that because LMC, Leareno Development, LearAvia, and several smaller companies were all started in 1967-1968 there is some overlap between the series within some sections, such as correspondence. The series...
Dates:
1968-1976, 1984-1999, undated
Series XII. LearAvia Corporation, 1838-1992, 1999, undated
Series
Scope and Contents: LearAvia Corporation
This series, the largest in the collection, documents the activities of LearAvia Corporation which was established in April 1968 by William P. Lear in Reno, Nevada at the site of former Stead Air Force Base. The company was engaged in the development, manufacture, and distribution of avionic products as well the design and development of three aircraft: the LearStar 600, the Lear Allegro, and the Lear Fan 2100. The series is divided into eight subseries, ...
Dates:
1838-1992, 1999, undated
Series XV. Personal, 1910-2002, undated
Series
Scope and Contents: Personal
The Personal series consists of materials related to WPL’s and MOL’s professional lives but which are not directly tied to any of the companies. The series is divided into four subseries: William P. Lear, Moya Olsen Lear, Lear Family, and General. Each of these has been further broken down and are clarified below. Materials are generally, but not always, arranged by date, with undated items at...
Dates:
1910-2002, undated
Series XVI. Related Companies, 1961-2000, undated
Series
Scope and Contents: Related Companies
The final series of the collection is Related Companies. The focus is primarily on companies that were originally founded by WPL but due to mergers or sales lost their direct affiliation with WPL’s companies. The exception is the final series, Lear Archives, which maintains a direct connection to WPL and his career. The Related Companies series has been divided by company, which are listed in chronological order of their existence and connection to Lear...
Dates:
1961-2000, undated
Contact us with a research request
curator@museumofflight.org