Biographical Sketches

RANDOLPH FORDHAM HALL

Born: November 7, 1896    In: New Haven, CN
Died: March 24, 1974    In: New Haven, CN

Randolph Fordham Hall was an aeronautical engineer and inventor, began work as a draftsman at the Thomas Brothers Airplane Co (1915-16) and moved to Standard Aeronautical Corp as an engineer (1917). He enlisted in the Air Service Technical Service (1917-19), advancing to the rank of first sergeant. During this time he attended the AEF’s University in Dijon, France, where he earned degrees in mathematics and mechanical engineering. He returned to the U.S., becoming an assistant engineer at the Thomas-Morse Aircraft Co (1920-28) before joining Francis Cunningham and James Dryer to form Cunningham-Hall Aircraft (1928-41). He left Cunningham-Hall to join Bell Aircraft Co (1941-59), where he remained until he retired. Hall received more then 40 patents during his career, including one for a high-lift wing which flew on Cunningham-Hall’s entry in the Guggenheim Safe Airplane Competition of 1929.

Denotes an individual known to have soloed an aircraft prior to December 16, 1917, whether they were members of the "Early Birds of Aviation" Organization or not.