Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-01-11
PERCY PIERCE, BOY
INVENTOR, INCLINED
TOWARD AVIATION
Began Modelling Flying Ma
chimes at Eight Years.
Mother Encourages Nat
ural Talent.


alliterative name of Percy Pierce, who
is particularly fortunate from two stand
points, one of which is that he was born
with talent for mechanics and the other
that he is possessed of mothr capable of
understanding the natural gifts of her
son, and herself having no little me-
chanical genius and great deal of ex-
ecutive ability.
Mrs. Edith w. Pierce is known through
out the length and breadth OF the city,
and outside its limits, too. for that mat
ter. as a most efficient inspector in the
Bureau of Street Cleaning.
The particular bent of Percy Pierce's
going wide of the mark to say that he
began the study of air flight at younger
period of life than 1t had ever been taken
up seriously by any other boy.
NOT AN INFANT PRODIGY.
It is quite relief to find no trace
of the infant prodigy about this youth.
To all appearances, he is a normal boy,
tall but slightly built. and with an open.
honest countenance and the face of an
idealist Flo impresses those with whom
he converses with the fact that he knows
his subject and knows that he knows It.
yet his knowledge is not thrust down
ones throat He also makes you feel
he is a little too serious, but what can
be expected from one who was planning
flying machines and building them SO
that they were made to fly at an age
when his playmates were devoting their
surplus energies to mumbly peg, tip cat
and marbles?
PERCY IN HIS WORKSHOP.
Percy was found in his workshop in
the cellar of his mothers home, 61Os
Catharine street. About half of this
place is filled with his workbench and
appliances incident to his work The
fact that he is in close contact with the
ordinary implements of domesticity makes
no difference to him, as neatness and
order prevail The confusion which is
thought by some to be necessary ad-
junct to genius is entirely absent.
Packed away carefully is a headless
blplane glider, upon which he expects
to make repairs when the money is
Forthcoming.
MADE $500 ON "GLIDERS."
At the age of Il Percy was invited to
attend an exhibition of aerial craft held
in Boston. Along with his baggage he
packed a few small gliders as samples to
Interest boys in the mysteries of flying
Much to his astonishment, there was an
Instant demand for them, and in a few
his stock was depleted. Later
IN the afternoon he bought paper and
paste and sat up nearly all night making
these miniature air machines. The fol-
lowing morning he put them on sale at
10 cents each. They went like hot cakes.
Then business instincts came TO the
surface. He wired his mother TO make
al the gliders possible and ship them
without delay.
During the next few days the home |
circle was kept busy fostering the new
with the result that Percy |
home with his pockets stuffed |
With bank notes. for which he had |
changed his nickels. dimes and quarters.
rhe venture netted him nearly $500.
MADE AERoPLANE AT TEN.
When this lad was a youngster of 10, he |
.almly proceeded to develop an aeroplane
o be run by two-horsepower engine.
Before this he had invented heavier |
han-air machine with vibrating planes
md screw propeller. To all intents and
purposes these were his own inventions. |
first experiments were made in the back
ard, and from the modest gliders the |
voIution continued until his giant %
ooter was built last year in his cellar
In this he made several successful /
lights, the glider being towed by a CO. /
horsepower automobile. The towing rope /
vas cut after sufficient momentum had /
een given TO enable the machine 10 rise. /
s 1t has no motive power OF its own.
Percy believed he could make a success
al flight and the auto started at 20-mile-
n-hour clip. When the brow OF the hill
ras reached the inventor and pilot sud
emily realized he was soaring over the
uto at dangerous angle. The coutrols
siled 10 respond quickly enough to save
he right wing from a slight smash.
WHAT MRS. PIERCE THINKS.
when mothers have been disturbed by
be fact that invention. or even the spirit
{ invention. may take away their chill
Fenis interest from their studies. / in-
ariably say, Let them express them
alves' said Mrs. Pierce. In my work,
mich Is ia CONNECTION with the Street
leaning Department my duties lead me
, work IL cooperation With the munici-
elity along lines OF prevention. This e
- oWn idea, ana BY coming in contact
lth women ana their interests i am ialiy L