Loud, Albert Louis, 1886-1940.

Assistant engineer in North Pole and trans-Atlantic attempts by dirigible, 1909-1911.

Born in Virden, Illinois, Loud was assistant to his brother-in-law Melvin Vaniman, a photographer, engineer and inventor, who was also a Virden native. Loud accompanied Vaniman on Walter Wellman's third attempt to reach the North Pole by dirigible in 1909 and his 1910 attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean. Loud also assisted Vaniman in trials for a second trans-Atlantic attempt, but retired from air adventures before Vaniman's tragic death in the final trial flight. Loud moved to Danville, Illinois, where he worked as an auditor for Fidelity Loan Company, and later was a salesman for a printing firm. He died in Springfield, Illinois.