Pickerill, Elmo N. (Elmo Neale), 1885-1968

Aviator.

From the description of Elmo N. Pickerill papers, 1910-1975. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 80754731

From the description of Papers, 19--?. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 28410359

Biographical Note

• 1885, May 24: Born, Greenridge, Mo.
• 1904 - 1905 : Experimented with radio under Lee DeForest
• 1910: Received piloting instruction from the Wright Brothers First solo flight Sent first radio transmission from air to ground while on a flight from Mineola to Manhattan Beach, N. Y., and return
• 1911: Received government pilot license Number 1 Performed first wireless transmission in the Panama Canal while on a commercial vessel
• 1911 - 1917 : Participated in flying exhibitions as barnstormer in the United States and South America
• 1917: Commissioned, United States Army Signal Corps
• 1920: Joined Radio Corp. of America
• 1950: Retired
• 1968, Jan. 15: Died

From the guide to the Elmo N. Pickerill Papers, 1910-1975, (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

Elmo Neale Pickerill was born May 24, 1885 in Greenridge, Missouri.

Pickerill began his radio career as an employee from 1904 to 1906 of Dr. Lee de Forest, inventor of the triode radio tube. Pickerill was unofficially the first person to receive and transmit radio signals from an airplane to a ground station. This occurred on August 4, 1910 as he flew from Mineola, Long Island to Manhattan Beach and back again.

From 1911 to 1917, Pickerill performed as a barnstormer. In 1917, he served in the United States Army Signal Corps as a radio instructor. In 1920, Pickerill joined RCA. At RCA, he was in charge of the aeronautics division after 1928. Pickerill retired from RCA in 1950.

Elmo N. Pickerill died January 15, 1968.

From the guide to the Elmo N. Pickerill Papers, 1867-1976, 1920s-1950s, (Mass Media and Culture)