Born in Hawthorne, Iowa, 5 December 1879. At age 31
he designed and built his own aircraft and taught himself
to fly. Following the 1914-1918 World War he founded the
Travel Air Manufacturing Company in Wichita, Kansas. As
president, Cessna led the company to become one of the
leading U.S. aircraft manufacturers. His advanced design
concepts produced a line of internationally famous aircraft
which established many speed and distance records.
In 1927 he formed the Cessna Aircraft Company, and during the
decade of the 30's produced racing and sports aircraft that
established traditions of safety, performance, and economy
which are yet today the standards of safety for aviation. His
aircraft introduced the pleasures of private flying to many
thousands of pilots throughout the world.
Clyde Cessna retired to his farm to spend his later years in
Rago, Kansas, where he died in 1954.
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