Glenn H. Curtiss. Portrait of US aviator and inventor, Glen H. Curtiss (1878-1930), a great pioneer in aviation and aircraft manufacturer. In his lifetime he produced over 500 inventions including being a pioneer motorcycle designer and racer holding world speed records; he invented the motorcycle handlebar throttle control; he made and sold the first private aircraft in the USA; he made the first hydroaeroplane (seaplane) and invented retractable landing gear for aircraft; he invented the aileron on the trailing edge of an airplane wing to control balance; and made the first public one kilometer flight in the USA.