Aeronca, WACO, and others View of aircraft at Wright Field, circa 1940s

The Aloys J. Wyen Collection consists of the papers and photographs of early aviation pioneer, Aloys J. Wyen. Wyen was associated with the Wright Brothers in Dayton first in their bicycle shop and later at Huffman Prairie as a mechanic. He was with them at Belmont Park, New York, in 1910, and then flew at Los Angeles, California, from 1911 until 1916, when a crash hospitalized him for several months. He returned to Dayton and opened an automobile business. He later worked in aviation again as a mechanic with the WACO Aircraft Company of Troy, Ohio, and at Aeronca in Middletown, Ohio. The collection was donated to Special Collections and Archives in February 1995, by the daughters of Aloys Wyen: Mary Elizabeth Wyen, Shirley Wyen Huffman, Rita Wyen Martin, and Alvira Wyen Marburger.

Series I Biographical

This series contains biographical information on Aloys J. Wyen. Consisting of one file folder, it contains letters of reference, his obituary, notes written by his daughter, Mary E. Wyen, on his life and work, and information sheets completed for the Dayton Chamber of Commerce.

Series II Correspondence

This series contains correspondence to Aloys J. Wyen from friends and organizations interested in aviation and his relationship to the Wright Brothers.

Series III Photographs

The most significant series in the collection, these four files contain photographs of early aircraft which Aloys J. Wyen helped to build at Huffman Prairie with the Wrights and also photos of him in aircraft in Los Angeles in 1912. The series also contains photos of aircraft manufactured by WACO and Aeronca. Wyen was employed by both companies during his career in aviation. The series includes family portraits as well.

Series IV Wright Brothers

Series IV contains an original letter written by Milton Wright to W.H. Sheahan of the Aero Club of Pennsylvania, acknowledging his note of condolence at the death of Wilbur Wright. The letter is dated June 20, 1912. Also in this file is correspondence and plans related to the building of the Wright B Flyer by Wright Flyer B, Inc. Included in this file are letters from Wilkinson Wright to Mary E. Wyen concerning her father's relationship with the Wrights and the planes he worked on.

Series V Miscellaneous

The last series consisting of one file contains miscellaneous materials belonging to Aloys Wyen, such as postcards, a poem he wrote, and a news clipping on the publication of a Wright history.