Arthur Pratt Warner (April 18, 1870, Jacksonville, Florida – March 22, 1957, Beloit, Wisconsin) was an American inventor, businessman and pioneer aviator. His inventions include the electric brake and, along with his brother, the automotive speedometer.[1][2]
He was the first American private citizen to purchase an airplane,[1][3][4] the "first commercially built airplane".[5] He paid Glenn Curtiss $6000 for a disassembled one.[2][4] Once he had assembled it (without instructions or manuals), he became the first person to fly in Wisconsin, at Beloit on November 4, 1909.[3][4] He got 50 feet (15 m) off the ground and traveled a quarter mile (0.4 km).[2] This also made him the eleventh American pilot.[3]
A self-taught engineer, with his brother Charles he invented the first automobile speedometer, which made him rich.[2] The Warner Instrument Co. was incorporated in 1903, with Warner as vice president and general manager.[6] In 1912, he sold his speedometer company for $1.2 million.[2] In 1917, the Warner Manufacturing Co. came into existence, with Warner as president, to make automobile and truck trailers.[6] Inventions that he developed in connection with this business included the electric brake and power clutch.[2] He retired in 1934.[6]
Warner Auto-Meter car during the 1908 Glidden Tour via the Detroit Public Library
