The Life of Local Inventor and Aviation Pioneer Earle Ovington

Jessica Price ’09, currently a volunteer at the Goleta Valley Historical Society, announces a local history lecture happening Monday night.  Student prices are $5. If anyone has questions they can call the GVHS office (805) 681-7216 or they can e-mail me at jprice@westmont.edu
“Known only as America’s first Air Mail Pilot, there is much more to the
story of Earle Lewis Ovington that can be learned today from a study of his
life. Earle Ovington exemplified all that was right with America–true
sportsmanship, common sense, fairness, perseverance, achievement,
entrepreneurship, competitiveness, and personal responsibility–character
traits sadly lacking in much of America today. In a multifaceted career
that spanned a mere fifty-seven years, he achieved a truly amazing number
of accomplishments.”

From the wind-swept streets of Chicago, to the hurried pace of New York
City, to the quiet Newton Highlands suburb of Boston, to the boardwalks o f
Atlantic City and the lush open spaces of Santa Barbara, California, Earle
Lewis Ovington passionately pursued his dreams. At age sixteen he left home
to seek employment with Thomas Edison and later earned his Electrical
Engineering degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was a
showman, a multi-enterprising entrepreneur, inventor, and fearless pioneer
aviator.

In a detailed and well researched narrative that draws upon hundreds of
photographs, letters, government records, and original source materials
from private and family records, the author weaves the story of the life of
Earle Ovington–from his little known contribution to early X-ray technology
and friendship with Nikola Tesla, to his roles in the advancement of the
early motorcycle and aviation industries in America.

Anchored in the optimism of the late nineteenth century, he was a visionary
who continually looked to the future. Virtually forgotten today, Earle
Ovington lived a life of which most people can only dream. Reminiscences of
a Birdman tells for the first time to a new generation, the complete story
of this uniquely American hero.”

-Robert D. Campbell

hm 4/18/10