The Gerbracht brothers were the founders and operators of the Gerbracht Aeronautical Corporation in Ames. Wilford Gerbracht and his brother, Joe (a theater owner in Ames, Iowa) both received aviation training during World War I. In 1925 the brothers decided to enter the aviation business. They asked the Travel Air Company (Wichita, KS) to custom build a plane for them. The plane (christened the Pegasus) was flown to Ames where the Gerbracht Aeronautical Corporation had leased 40 acres and erected a hangar. The new Ames airport was dedicated on July 4 and 5, 1926. Joe later returned to his theater business, selling his interest in the aviation company to Wilford. In 1928 Wilford leased a larger airfield in the Ames area, built a larger hangar, and became a distributor for Travel Air planes. Also in 1928 Wilford flew planes built by the Bolte Aircraft Corporation (Des Moines) at shows pending their approval by federal inspectors. In 1929 Wilford was hired by Harry Ogg, president of the Automatic Washer Company of Newton, Iowa to fly his new Travel Air plane (christened Smiling Thru). Joe took over the aviation business once again but in October of 1929 transferred the lease to the American Legion. Due to the Depression Ogg was forced to sell his plane and Wilford returned to Ames to work with his brother in the theater business, although he continued flying as a sideline. Both brothers actively promoted aviation in Iowa, through memberships in aviation organizations (National Aeronautic Association, Iowa Aeronautics Association) and by lobbying for passage of aviation-related legislation in Iowa. Charles Lindbergh's flight to Paris and a visit to Iowa in 1927 further served to spark popular and legislative support for the construction of additional airports in Iowa.
From the description of Scrapbook, 1926-1930's (bulk 1926-1929). (State Historical Society of Iowa, Library). WorldCat record id: 54850087
