Martin, Glenn

Martin, Glenn (Luther)

(1886–1955) aircraft manufacturer; born in Macksburg, Iowa. In 1909, using his own airplane, Martin taught himself to fly, becoming the third person in the United States to do so. Nicknamed "the Dude," he barnstormed from 1909 to 1915 to raise money. In 1912, using a plane built in his California factory, he flew from Los Angeles to Catalina Island and back, a record 32 miles; in 1917 he relocated to Cleveland and designed the MB-2 bomber; in 1929 he moved to Baltimore, producing the B-10 bomber and the China Clipper flying boat as well as other aircraft. In World War II his factory created the B-26 Marauder and the Mariner and Mars flying boats. Following the war his company experienced economic difficulty and in 1952 the navy took over control. Extremely close to his mother, he died shortly after her.

The Cambridge Dictionary of American Biography, by John S. Bowman. Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1995. Reproduced with permission.