O. Chanute, C.E.

Abstract

Octave Chanute was one of the leading civil engineers in the United States in the period between 1850 and 1890. His work on eastern and western railroads was unsurpassed. He began his bridge building career in 1856 and designed his last major bridge in 1888. Starting in 1890, he began his study in the work that others conducted in the area of manned flight and designed and tested many of his own gliders. He later assisted the Wright Brothers in their experiments in Dayton and at Kitty Hawk.