Wedding Wings

Bundled up against high-altitude winds. Miss Myrtle Williamson and her determinedly cheerful suitor, Ebert Grout, soar above the roofs of Middletown, Ohio—in a photographer’s studio in 1913. It is not surprising that their flying machine- with its minuscule landing gear, maritime wheel, random struts, and odd, cubistic motor—is unconvincing. It had been just ten years since the Wright Brothers took wing at Kitty Hawk, and the artist who cobbled it together had probably never seen the real thing. Middletown’s skyline has since been transformed. Only the noisome chimneys of the then-new American Rolling Mill Company at lower left remain; the firm is now called Armco Steel, and antipollution equipment keeps the smoke down. The pilot and her co-pilot were married two years after this first flight: their son, George Grout, of Monroe, Ohio, sent us their picture.

We continue to invite our readers to send us unusual, dramatic, or amusing photographs—at least thirty years old—that they own. They should be sent to Geoffrey C. Ward, American Heritage Publishing Co., 10 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.

As we cannot be responsible for original material, we request that a copy be sent at first. Under no circumstances should glass negatives be mailed. Pictures can be returned only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope. AMERICAN HERITAGE will pay $50.00 for each one that is run.