The San Diego Air & Space Museum Library and Archives houses some of earliest images taken in California that show one man's vision of how we can take to the air. Over 30 years before the Wright Brother's successful flight, a man designed an "Improved Aerial Machine" that while impractical in many ways, did realize the need for "paddle wheels...by their combined action on the atmosphere, to raise and propel the vessel through it." Or, what we would call propellers. This machine was awarded a patent in 1870 and this patent is housed in a special collection.  However, what is most amazing about this collection is that it includes two tintypes of a model of this Aerial Machine that appear to be taken at the time that the patent was submitted. This means that these tintypes are some of the oldest surviving images in California and perhaps America. Tintypes are a photographic method that was introduced in the 1850s and became popular in the later part of that century.

He used part of his new found fortune to work on his vision of a flying machine.

To learn more about this fascinating new exhibit, visit: https://sandiegoairandspace.org/collection/item/ap-keith-patent-and-photos