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30-piece archive from 1910

(The only existing 1911 Steco Engineering Co. Aerohydroplane (that you see in these pics sold in 2023 at auction. It comes right up if you google "aviation james stephens steco chicago"

The archive presented here consists of correspondence between James Stephens of STECO Aircraft company (Chicago, IL) and Aircraft magazine and Aeronautics magazine. These are the letters and drawings Stephens sent to these magazines to appeal to them to publish his inventions, which they did. The correspondence is fluid and can be followed, along with the details of Stephens' invention. Please see full description below.

James Stephens, STECO Engineering, Chicago, IL

Safety improvement, stability device invention which he claims does not require as much strength by the operator as the Wright, Curtiss and Farman machines

Balancing and steering planes

Pages on Aircraft magazine letterhead and James Stephens’ letterhead, beautiful linen paper

Highlights include mention by the editor of Aircraft magazine of showing the invention to Israel Ludlow, who finds the invention interesting, inventor Theodore Windel of Brooklyn, NY writing and sending a photo (actual photo he sent is included of the Windel monoplane) of his invention to Aircraft, which is claims is similar or the same

Includes 1910 Theodore Windel patent

As a note: Aircraft magazine founded in NYC by Alfred Lawson in 1910. In 1916, Lawson sold Aircraft magazine and started the Lawson Aircraft Co. in Green Bay, WI. Lawson designed the first passenger “airliners” and even coined the term.

1.   1-page letter dated April 22, 1910 from the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood to James Stephens on Aircraft magazine letterhead. The editor states that the letter from Stephens and the description of the balancing device is of interest to the magazine. The editor is concerned about the Wright patents. The magazine has received a description of what they view as a similar invention. He would like Stephens to write a short article for the magazine. He will show the description of the invention to Israel Ludlow for his opinion.

2.   2-page letter dated April 26, 1910 from James Stephens to the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood. Stephens writes that he works with qualified patent attorneys and experts, but also values Israel Ludlow’s opinion. Stephens states that his device operates with less resistance and requires less power to operate under all conditions. This increases safety is the pilot does not have the strength or leverage to operate the machine in certain circumstances. Requires less sheer muscular force than Wright, Curtiss or Farman machines. Stephens describes his device

3.   Grouping, 9 total pages

 1-page letter dated April 29, 1910 from James Stephens to the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood. Stephens is enclosing an article about his invention and several drawings of his invention. 

3-page article written by James Stephens titled, “Safe Flight” containing 1 drawing of the invention in the body of the article and 5 pages of drawings following the article

4.   1-page letter dated May 10, 1910 from the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood, to James Stephens on Aircraft magazine letterhead talking about the opinion of Israel Ludlow, the Wright patents and the Curtiss and Paulhan suits.

5.   1-page letter dated May 27, 1910 from the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood, to James Stephens on Aircraft magazine letterhead. The editor had received correspondence from Theodore Windel of Fort Hamilton (Brooklyn), NY, who claims he has already patented a similar invention.

6.   Theodore Windel patent dated July 19, 1910, “Balancing and Steering Planes”

7.   1-page letter dated May 28, 1910 handwritten by James Stephens to the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood regarding an article written on the subject of the Wright patents by the firm of Rummler and Rummler in Chicago. Letter is written on the back of very interesting letterhead of the “Revolving Airship Tower Co.” of Chicago. James Stephens is listed as treasurer of the company.

8.   1-page letter dated June 1, 1910 from the editor of Aircraft magazine, George F. Campbell Wood, to James Stephens. The editor will publish the Rummler article in the July issue. The editor has enclosed the original photo sent from Theodore Windel of the “Monoplane Windel #1” with the balancing and stabilizing device.

9.   1-page letter dated April 20, 1910 from James Stephens to the editor of Aeronautics magazine. Stephens’ letter gives an introduction of his invention to the magazine.

10. 1 page letter dated March 8, 1934 from the Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL (still in existence) to James Stephens asking for a photo of the hydroplane he donated to the museum

11. 1 1910’s plate card with the logo from the Aero Club of Illinois from an event there with James Stephens’ name.

12. 7 photographs and 4 RPPC’s of the STECO hydroaeroplane (STECO = Stephens Company)

Condition note: Excellent condition for being over 100 years old. Please see pics.