Dayton, Ohio
Jan. 8, 2004

The incredible story of the inventor, daredevil and entrepreneur, Glenn Curtiss, is brought to life when Kirk House speaks at the U.S. Air Force Museum on January 21 at 7:30 p.m.

During the lecture, Mr. House will discuss his latest book, Hell-Rider to King of the Air: Glenn Curtiss Life of Innovation, which entails how Mr. Curtiss took an eighth grade education and became a cutting edge industrial-technical giant, who dominated early American aeronautics.

Widely known as a historian of early aviation, Mr. House has written extensively on the subject (including three books and nine encyclopedia entries), and has made several appearances on national television.

Mr. House's television appearances include Warship (PBS), Assignment: The World (PBS educational programming), Glenn Curtiss (Discovery Wings), History's Mysteries (A&E), Roadfaring (The Travel Channel), and Legends of Air Power (PBS).

Mr. House, who holds degrees from Rhode Island College and Lehigh University, teaches part-time for Genesee Community College. He is an independent writer, reporter, editor and researcher working largely in the fields of history and tourism. "My mission is to be the storyteller for people, businesses, and institutions," he said.

Mr. House lives with his wife and their two sons in Bath, NY, and spends as much time as he can either bird watching or hiking the Finger Lakes Trail. Mr. House's lecture, Hell-Rider to King of the Air: Glenn Curtiss Life of Innovation, is part of the Museum s Wings and Things lecture series. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and the lecture will be held in the Museum's Carney Auditorium. For more information, or for special seating arrangements (hearing impaired), contact the Museum s Special Events Office at (937) 255-8046, ext. 312 or visit http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum. Filming or videotaping the lecture is not permitted.

The U.S. Air Force Museum is located on Springfield Pike, six miles northeast of downtown Dayton. It is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day). Admission and parking are free.

Contact:

U.S. Air Force Museum's
Public Affairs Division
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio 45433-7102
(937) 255-3286
Public: Call (937) 255-8046, ext. 312
MEDIA: Call (937) 255-4704, ext. 330