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Alexander Perkins Keith Special Collection
SDASM.003
SDASM.003
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Table of contents
Title: Alexander Perkins Keith Special Collection
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.003
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Language of Material:
English
Physical Description:
0.4 Linear feet
1 manuscript box
Date (inclusive): 1870-1936
Abstract: This collection contains papers relating to A.P. Keith. The papers include documents about a patent Keith received in 1870
for a flying machine.
creator:
Keith, Alexander Perkins
Alexander P. Keith hailed from Eaton, Massachusetts, coming to California for the gold mines and then making his big strike
in Nevada in 1859-60. He used his newfound fortune to continue his vision of his airplane invention. His invention deviated
from the then accepted flapping wing devices that were of the time.
He later married Anna Hicks in Boston and moved to San Diego in the early 1880s where they had two daughters, Mabel M. and
Elizabeth. Only after Keith’s death did his family learn of his invention and patent. It is said in the few articles on Keith’s
invention, that the only things lacking was the aid of a perpetual moving machine, at which time had not yet been discovered.
Conditions Governing Access note
Access is open to the public by appointment.
For copyright information and conditions of use, please contact the library director.
Immediate Source of Acquisition note
This collection of materials was donated in March 2009 by a distant family member, Dave Lewis.
[Item], Alexander Perkins Keith Special Collection, Archives, San Diego Air & Space Museum
This is a collection of the personal papers of A.P. Keith that documents a patent that was granted to AP Keith of Eaton, Massachusetts
on 1870 for an aerial flying machine. It includes two types circa 1870.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Aeronautic--California--San Diego--History
Aeronautics -- 1870-1880