“First Airliner" to Fly Over Lorain – August 1919

Here’s an interesting little article from the early days of air travel that appeared on the front page of the July 25, 1919 Lorain Times-Herald. It concerns the upcoming flyover in a few weeks by what is now considered to be the first airliner, invented by Alfred W. Lawson.

As the article notes, “the big plane will carry 26 passengers.”

“It has a wing spread of 95 feet, two 400-horse power Liberty motors, and a spacious cabin fitted in cane chairs, upholstered with leather, which seat 26 comfortably including the captain and pilot.”

Lawson Airliner
(Courtesy WisconsinAviationHallofFame.org)

I am assuming that this plane was the Lawson L-2. According to its Wiki entry, "The Lawson Air Line Company designed and built a series of large biplane airliners for use on its planned airline routes. The initial Lawson "Aerial Transport" Lawson C1 or T-1 was built early in 1919 to demonstrate that a large commercial passenger plane could be built. The L-1 was a single pilot, 10 passenger biplane with twin Liberty 400 hp pusher engines. 

"It was followed by the Lawson C.2 or L-2. The L-2 was a tractor biplane also with 400 hp engines, capable of carrying 26 passengers, and piloted by two pilots, with differential controls.

"Mr. Lawson took it on a 2000-mile multi-city tour to advocate commercial air travel.”

It’s kind of cool that this historic plane flew over Lorain during its promotional flight.

You can read more about Lawson and the inaugural flight of his airliner here on the Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame website, and here on the Wisconsin Aviation History website.