Those who have followed a career similar to mine have generally displayed an interest in things mechanical from an early age. I was true to type in this respect, and showed my liking for making things from as early as I can remember. This was not because I was taught to do so, for my father died when I was only six. However, I inherited a fine kit of tools which I had seen him use, and I taught myself to use them.

As early as 1910 I constructed some balloons, one about 15 ft. in diameter which rose fully 1,000 ft. and drifted miles over the countryside. I made large kites and some model aeroplanes with elastic motors which flew short distances.