How Dayton Became the Center of U.S. Air Force Engineering and Research – Amazing Story of McCook Field – Presented by Don Gray
MOUND MUSEUM LECTURE SERIES SPOTLIGHTS
Summary
While any of us recognize that the Dayton area is home to the Wright brothers and the origins of flight, it’s less well known of all the aviation technologies that were developed here. This talk summarizes where and how the Wright Field, which is home of the Air Force Research Laboratories (AFRL), etc. got its start at the McCook Field. By 1917 during World War I, it had become apparent that the US would need to join the conflict and would need to strengthen the military to enhance our flying capability. One area that was identified as critical was to establish a centralized engineering and research center. By September of 1917, an area in Dayton, OH then known as North Field, was identified as an excellent location, which was renamed McCook Field. Over the 10 years of its existence many firsts were accomplished here. By 1927, the Army had outgrown McCook and moved to its new location – Wright Field – where engineering and research would continue to this day. This is the amazing story of the developments and accomplishments made at McCook Field and what McCook Field contributed to the development of the US Air Force and the establishment of America’s national airway system.
Speaker’s Biography
Donald A. Gray has had a 30+ year career in sales, marketing, international management, and sales development systems of software, database and business application technologies, and data warehousing solutions. Don has worked at NCR, Teradata Corporation, Computer Associates, Applied Data Research (now Computer Associates), Hogan Systems, and University Computing Co. (now Computer Associates). He has also owned and managed his own software distribution and marketing consulting companies. Don studied at at Cleveland State University and the University of Texas in Dallas in communications and marketing.
For additional details on this presentation call 937-247-0402 (MCWDC) or 937-353-4457 (MSEMA). The presentation is free and open to the public and has ample free parking.
Mound Cold War Discovery Center
E-Mail: msem475@gmail.com
Phone: 937-247-0402
Web: www.daytonhistory.org
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