LetsGoSeeIt.com - Your Guide to Southern California and Beyond


William T. Piper



William T. Piper

William T. Piper
WILLIAM T. PIPER
General Aviation Aircraft Manufacturer
Born in Knapps Creek, New York, on 8 January 1881, he was graduated from Harvard University in 1903 as a mechanical engineer. His career in aviation began in 1929 with Taylor Brothers Aircraft Company. With Piper as General Manager, the company produced the affordable and reliable Taylor Cub light plane. The Cub's popularity grew due to Piper's insistence on low price, simplicity, and reliability. Piper bought out the Taylor Brothers and in 1937 moved the company to Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, forming the Piper Aircraft Corporation. Known now as the Piper Cub, the small light plane grew to dominate the civil light aircraft field and was used extensively during World War II as the Piper L-4.

Piper's enthusiasm for private flying and the thousands of light planes produced by his company made an exceptional contribution to general aviation throughout the world.

Died Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, 15 January 1970.
Elected to the International Aerospace Hall of Fame 1993