Lawrence Dale Bell (1894–1956) was an American aviation pioneer and industrialist, best known as the founder of Bell Aircraft Corporation, which advanced military aircraft and helicopters.
Born in Mentone, Indiana, Bell entered aviation in 1912 as a mechanic for his brother Grover Bell and stunt pilot Lincoln Beachey. After Grover’s death in 1913, he briefly left the industry but later joined Glenn L. Martin Company, becoming shop foreman and general manager.
In 1935, Bell founded Bell Aircraft Corporation in Buffalo, New York, focusing on innovation. His company produced the P-39 Airacobra and P-63 Kingcobra fighter planes during World War II and developed the P-59 Airacomet, America’s first jet-powered aircraft. The Bell X-1 broke the sound barrier in level flight in 1947, piloted by Chuck Yeager.
Bell Aircraft also pioneered helicopter development, introducing the Bell 47, the first commercially certified helicopter, widely used in civilian and military operations. Biographies include Donald J. Norton’s Larry: A Biography of Lawrence D. Bell (1981.)
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Lawrence Dale Bell
Show me a man who cannot bother to do little things and I’ll show you a man who cannot be trusted to do big things.
—Lawrence Dale Bell
Topics: Things, Little Things, Character
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