Thursday January 24, 1907 in Ormond Beach, Florida. Glenn Curtis climbs aboard his 280 pounds V8 motorcycle. After 2 miles the machine reaches its top speed and is clocked at 136.3 mph, covering a mile in 25 1/4 seconds. He became the world’s fastest man and his land speed record held 11 years until a Blitzen Benz car reached the speed of 141 mph. Glenn built numerous engines and was also a plane pilot. He became an american hero who inspired popular books like “Tom Swift and His Motor-Cycle”, “The Adventures of Tom Swift” and “Fun and Adventures on the Road”. Glenn’s bike is preciously kept at the Smithsonian Museum.
Flash Back. Glenn Curtis 1907 World Land Speed Record Machine.
Published by October 12th, 2010 in Builders, Editorial and Events.11 Responses to “Flash Back. Glenn Curtis 1907 World Land Speed Record Machine.”
- 1 Pingback on Oct 12th, 2010 at 11:26 am
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Looking much better than OCC electric drag bike.
what a ruler, his planes were amazing as well
Genius knows no bounds.
This is great……….
Thanks for the info. Cyril. Glenn Curtis was truly a great man and inventor.
And Sturgis wouldn’t be Sturgis if Curtis hadn’t invented the Adams Bungalo! 😉
Or the motorcycle twist grip.
Always thought this story was worthy of a sculpture!
Glenn Curtiss had steel balls; even though his handlebars were better braced than his frame, 23 years passed before his record was broken.
I wrote a little more bio on him on my website:
http://thevintagent.blogspot.com/2009/05/barn-find-1909-curtiss.html
And Jeff, I’d love to see you sculpt that V-8!
Amazing bike, the motorcycle pioners are incredible people, lots of adversitis and they don´t give up.