2014-2019 marks the centennial Anniversary of World War I. To commemorate this event the Special Collections and Archives of Wright State University has gathered materials related to World War I from its collections. This series contains many letters, diaries, photographs, and other ephemera from Ohio natives. The creators of these materials give the user a glimpse at the impact of World War I from a unique and individual perspective. Though these materials often record factual data, a closer inspection will often reveal content of a more personal nature.
The World War I Collections include materials from the following series:
Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Photographs (MS-152)
The 91st Observation Squadron Photographs (MS-293)
Palmer Coombs WWI Materials: Diaries and Papers (MS-293)
Fred F. Marshall Papers (MS-53)
World War I Glass Plate Stereoviews (MS-457)
War Camp Community Service Song Sheet (SC-174)
For more information on these collections, please visit Wright State University Special Collections and Archives. For more information about the Centennial Anniversary of World War I please visit The United States World War One Centennial Commission.
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Fuselages of the Standard J-1 training aircraft at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 February 23, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The fuselages of Standard J-1 trainer aircraft are seen in the photograph at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1. The fuselages have the engines installed and are painted with identification numbers on the side. In the background Dayton-Wright employees work on other Standard J-1 fuselages. The title of the negative is "Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton. Ohio Plant 1. Feb. 23.-18." and labeled 40.
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Horizontal stabilizer skeleton at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the horizontal stabilizer of the aircraft hanging by a hook in a small room at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The horizontal stabilizer was used as part of the tail section of the De Havilland DH-4. The negative is labeled D28. This image was taken circa 1918.
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Howard Rinehart piloting a De Havilland DH-4 with a camera mounted on the Scarff ring at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field May 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Howard Rinehart sits in the cockpit of a De Havilland DH-4 with a cine camera mounted to the Scarff ring. The camera operator sitting in the second cockpit is unidentified. The photograph was taken at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company's South Field. In the background buildings are visible and one is marked as D4. The title of the photograph is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co., South Field - May 14-18."
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Howard Rinehart piloting a De Havilland DH-4 with military weapons and equipment at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field May 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows a De Havilland DH-4 equipped with military weapons at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. The pilot is Howard Rinehart and the gunner is Bernard L. Whelan, both employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The aircraft is number 32098 and has twin Lewis guns mounted on the Scarff ring, fixed Marlin machine guns at the pilot's cockpit, and is equipped with navigation lights. In the background buildings that are labeled D0, D1, and D2 can be seen. The photograph is titled "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co., South Field - May 14-19." Similar image to MS152_064.
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Howard Rinehart piloting a De Havilland DH-4 with military weapons and equipment at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field May 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows a wide angle view of the De Havilland DH-4 equipped with military weapons at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. The pilot is Howard Rinehart and the gunner is Bernard Whelan, both employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The aircraft is number 32098 and has twin Lewis guns mounted on the Scarff ring and fixed Marlin machine guns at the pilot's cockpit. The aircraft is equipped with navigation lights and flare dispensers. In the background hangars can be seen and a Standard J-1 training aircraft with the number 1673 is parked in the field. The photograph is titled "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co., South Field - May 14-19" and the negative is 55. Similar photograph to MS152_042.
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Howard Rinehart piloting the Dayton-Wright Honeymoon Express version of the De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Honeymoon Express version of the De Havilland DH-4 is the subject of the photograph at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company taken in circa 1918. Howard Rinehart is the pilot of the aircraft and the passengers are unidentified. The Honeymoon Express was one of the many versions of the DH-4. The aircraft could carry the pilot and two passengers in very tight quarters.
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Howard Rinehart standing beside the Dayton-Wright "The Messenger" at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field August 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Howard Rinehart stands beside the Dayton-Wright "The Messenger" in this photograph taken at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. Three other unidentified Dayton-Wright employees are also in the photograph. Howard Rinehart is in the center and leaning on the "Messenger" close to the engine. A De Havilland DH-4 is in the background and hangars are visible as well and one is labeled D5. The title of the photograph is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. South Field Aug. 14-18."
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Howard Rinehart stands between a De Havilland DH-4 and the Dayton-Wright "The Messenger" at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field August 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows Howard Rinehart standing between a De Havilland DH-4 and the Dayton-Wright "The Messenger" at the South Field of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. Rinehart is resting his hand on the propeller of the DH-4. The design similarities are apparent between the two aircraft in this side by side view. In the background the hangars of the South Field are visible and other DH-4s are visible through some of the open doors. The title of the negative is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. South Field - Aug. 14-18."
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Interior view of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Experimental Station
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows Dayton-Wright Airplane Company employees working on airplane parts at the Experimental Station, circa 1918. The employees work on various parts and the tail of a De Havilland DH-4 is visible in the foreground. Various tools and supplies are seen throughout the room. A No Smoking sign hangs in the back of the room near a sign that reads, "Notice - All Employees are warned against using any defective material, or in any way concealing faulty workmanship. The life of the airplane operator depends on you and the wrecking of an airplane due to defective material or workmanship may mean the death of a company of your brothers in arms. The Dayton Wright Airplane Co." The title of the negative is, "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton, Ohio. Experimental Station."
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Interior view of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1 June 3, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company work in an empty building of Plant 1. Signs can be seen hanging from the rafters. The title of the negative is labeled as "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton, Ohio. June 3-18. Plant - 1."
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Kettering Bug on a rail track ready for launch at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows a Kettering Bug on the rail cart ready to be launched. Five other Bugs are lined up along side the rail track resting on sawhorses. The rail track runs from a small building with Dayton-Wright employees standing in the opening observing the Bugs.
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Kettering Bug production at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows Dayton-Wright Airplane Company employees building parts for the Kettering Bug, circa 1918. The three employees appear to be working on the propellers for the Bug. Throughout the image different parts of the Bug are visible and a completed Bug with military markings hangs from the ceiling.
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Landing Gear Department, Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 2 July 17, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The interior view of the Landing Gear Department of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 2 is seen in the photograph. Employees work on the landing gear in different stages of development. The title on the negative is listed as "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Plant 2 - Landing Gear Dept. July 17-18." and is labeled 10.
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Liberty Engine at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
A Liberty Engine is suspended by a hoist in the photograph taken at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, circa 1918. The photograph is marked by a white mask around the engine. This is used to block out part of the background so that the focus of the image would be the Liberty Engine. On the outside of the white mask a fuselage of a De Havilland DH-4 is visible and employees of Dayton-Wright hold a white background cloth up to help isolate the engine. The Liberty Engine was a twelve cylinder engine used to power the De Havilland DH-4.
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Liberty Engine built by Buick in a De Havilland DH-4 fuselage at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company July 1, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows a Buick made Liberty Engine in the fuselage of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1. In the background other DH-4s are lined up to be worked on and Dayton-Wright employees are seen working. A United States flag hangs from the rafters. The title of the photograph is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Plant -1. Buick Motor - July 1-18."
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Liberty Engine built by Cadillac in a De Havilland DH-4 fuselage at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company July 1, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows a Cadillac made Liberty Engine in the fuselage of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1. In the background other DH-4s are lined up to be worked on and Dayton-Wright employees are seen working. The title of the photograph is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant -1. Cadillac Motor - July 1-18" and is labeled as 14.
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Liberty Engines and fuselage of the De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Liberty Engines sit on pallets and are lined up in the foreground with Dayton-Wright Airplane Company employees standing nearby. In the background the fuselages for the DH-4 can be seen lined up with the space open for the engine to be installed. Employees from the company can be seen throughout the photograph taken circa 1918. United States flags can be seen hanging from the rafters. A sign hanging on the wall reads "Do not spit or throw tobacco in this location."
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Manufacturing of aircraft wing skeletons at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photographic print shows employees of the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company manufacturing aircraft wing skeletons at Plant 1, circa 1918. The aircraft wing skeletons rest on sawhorses as the employees work on the pieces. Throughout the room stacks of aircraft wing skeletons can be seen with supplies and tools. The title of the negative is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton, Ohio. Plant No. 1."
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Mark III high explosive bombs on a Mark V bomb release mechanism attached to a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field April 15, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows a set of five Mark III high explosive bombs attached to the wing of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. The bombs are held on to the wing and released by a Mark V release mechanism. The title of the photograph is "Dayton Wright Airplane South Field-Apr.-15-18."
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Mark V release mechanism and Mark III high explosive bombs on a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field April 15, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the Mark V release mechanism attached to the wing of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. Mark III high explosive bombs are on the ground beneath the wing and two bombs hang from the release mechanism. The title of the negative is "Dayton Wright Airplane South Field Apr.-15-18."
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Military personnel stationed at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the military personnel stationed at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company Plant 1, circa 1918. The military soldiers guarded the factory to prevent sabotage or other problems related to the production of military supplies. A white house stands in the background and smoke from the factory can be seen as well. The title of the negative is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co. Dayton, Ohio. Plant No. 1."
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Motor test of the 1000 De Havilland DH-4 produced by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company at Plant 1 July 29, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the 1000 and 1001 De Havilland DH-4s produced by the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. The 1000 ship is the center of the photograph and has an unidentified person sitting in the pilot's cockpit. The wings have been removed from both aircraft and the tails are down to the fuselage. The 1000 aircraft has the fixed Marlin machine guns at the pilot's cockpit. The Liberty Engine is exposed on both aircraft. On the side of the 1000 a hand painted sign reads "I am ship no. 1000 will leave for France July 31st 4:30 p.m." A sign on the tail of the 1000 reads "1000 Hurrah!!!" There is also a hand painted sign on the 1001 aircraft that reads "The 1001 plane." The title of this negative, label 718, is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. Plant-1 Motor Test - July 29-18."
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Nordyke Marmon Liberty Engine for the De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company July 16, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Nordyke Marmon 12 cylinder engine is the center focus in the photograph. This engine was built by the Marmon Automobile company of Indianapolis, Indiana. Marmon was commissioned to build 5,000 of these engines for the war effort. These engines were used to power the De Havilland DH-4 airplane. The photograph shows the engine installed in the fuselage of the De Havilland DH-4 with landing gear already attached at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company. In the background Dayton-Wright employees work on another fuselage. The room to the left is filled with Liberty 12 cylinder engines. The title on the negative is "The Dayton-Wright Airplane Co. "Nordyke Marmon Motor" July-16 18" and is labeled 16.
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Orville Wright and Howard Rinehart with a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field May 14, 1918
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
Orville Wright and Howard Rinehart stand by a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company South Field. In the background a Standard J-1 training aircraft can be seen. Both Wright and Rinehart are dressed in typical apparel for pilots of the time. The title of the photograph, labeled as 52 is "The Dayton Wright Airplane Co., South Field - May 14-18". The negative is broken and only the bottom half is available.
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Packaged parts for the De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The Dayton-Wright Airplane Company
The photograph shows the packaged parts of a De Havilland DH-4 at the Dayton-Wright Airplane Company, circa 1918. The wings are packed in a shipping crate while the fuselage is still attached to the landing gear in the background. Dayton-Wright employees are visible working in the background and other DH-4s are visible. Supplies, tools, and parts are seen throughout the area. The title of the photograph is "Dayton-Wright Airplane."
