The Descriptive Finding Guide for the Emmett Tanner Personal Papers SDASM.SC.10182
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
2001 Pan American Plaza, Balboa Park
San Diego 92101
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: Emmett Tanner Personal Papers
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10182
Physical Description:
.4 Cubic Feet
This is a one box collection with measurements 15 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches. The collection contains newspaper clippings, patent
documents, and drawings, certificates, photographs, and a photographic album. It also contains four panoramic photographs
rolled up into scrolls.
Date (bulk): bulk
Abstract: Emmet Tanner enlisted in the Army at the start of World War I. In 1919, Tanner won the first transcontinental air race from
San Francisco to New York City in a de Havilland plane (the first of the Western flyers to make the trip).
Biographical / Historical
Emmet Tanner enlisted in the Army at the start of World War I. In 1919, Tanner won the first transcontinental air race from
San Francisco to New York City in a de Havilland plane (the first of the Western flyers to make the trip). Additionally, he
piloted Lydia “Grandma” Kahl, in her eighties, making her the oldest woman to fly. He also holds a patent on a rotary gas
engine which helped increase engine power for future aircraft.
Emmett Tanner died as a result of an aircraft crash in the San Francisco bay on August 22, 1923.
Scope and Contents
This is a one box collection with measurements 15 ¼ x 10 ½ x 5 inches. The collection contains newspaper clippings, patent
documents, and drawings, certificates, photographs, and a photographic album. It also contains four panoramic photographs
rolled up into scrolls.
Related Materials
DH.4 Aircraft files.
Transcontinental Record
Subjects and Indexing Terms
De Havilland Aircraft Company Limited
De Havilland DH.4
91st Aero Squadron
Rockwell Field
Tanner, Emmett
Series I: Military Documents
Folder 1 – Military Certificates & Documents
Physical Description: 1. Honorable Discharge Certificate, September 28, 1920 (x2)
2. WWC Form No. 1 Application for Adjusted Compensation for Service.
3. U.S. Army promotion certificate, private first class to corporal, January 1, 1918.
4. U.S. Army promotion certificate, corporal to sergeant, September 1, 1918.
Folder 2 – Newspaper Articles & Clippings
Physical Description: This folder contains several dozen newspaper clippings. The articles include Tanner’s transcontinental victory, Grandma Kahl
being the oldest woman to fly, and his rotary engine patent.
Folder 3 – The Saturday Evening Post
Physical Description: 1. April 26, 1930; Pages 37-38, 41-42, 157-158. (x2) 2. December 27, 1919; Pages 41-42. (x2)
Series III: Patent Documents
Folder 4 – Patent Papers & Drawings
Physical Description: This folder contains an assortment of patent documents including a patent office certificate (December 18, 1917), drawings
of the rotary engine, a patent office receipt, an attorney’s copy of the patent and drawings, and blueprint drawings (brown).
Folder 5 – Letter
Physical Description: 1. Newspaper picture of Emmett Tanner with caption in German. 2. Letter written in German, dated April 14, 1926.
Series V: Civilian Certificates
Physical Description: Folder 6 – Civilian Certificates
1. Marriage License of Emmett Tanner and Thelma Loomis, dated October 2, 1920.
2. Treasury certificate to Emmett Tanner, dated February 19, 1915.
Series VI: Miscellaneous
Physical Description: Folder 7 – Miscellaneous
1. Paper with photograph and caption “Jenkins Performing Acrobatics on Landing Gear of Flying Plane”
2. Advertisement for the Tanner Spiral, a cigarette and cigar holder.
Series VII: Negative
Physical Description: Folder 8 – Negative
1. Emmett Tanner standing with two unknown associates.
Series VIII: Photographs
Physical Description: Folder 9
This folder contains over fifty photographs of aircraft, crashed aircraft, Emmett Tanner, his peers, and aerial photographs.
Photographic Album
This large album contains several dozen additional photographs of aircraft, landscape, and associates.
Series IX: Scrolls
Physical Description: 1. Picture of the L Squadron, presumably at Rockwell Field, San Diego.
2. Picture of Rockwell Field Air Service Flying School, San Diego, CA; Copyright 1919, Kearny Photo Service. Photograph contains
aircraft and hangars.
3. Picture of Rockwell Field Air Service Flying School, San Diego, CA; Copyright 1919, Kearny Photo Service. Photograph contains
side view of hangars, aircraft lined up, vast empty plains, and tents and buildings.
4. 91st Aero Squadron, Rockwell Field, August 28, 1920. Photograph contains squadron picture and separate aircraft profile
pictures above.