Guggenheim Medal Recipients

The Daniel Guggenheim Medal was established as an international award for the purpose of honoring an individual who makes notable achievements in advancing the safety and practicality of aviation. The Medal recognizes contributions to aeronautical research and education, the development of commercial aircraft and equipment, and the application of aircraft to the economic and social activities of the nation. Provision for the medal was made in 1929 by the gift of a fund from the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aeronautics.

It is sponsored by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), SAE International, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA), and the Vertical Flight Society (VFS).

 

 Medalists

  • 2024 | Michimasa Fujino

    For technical innovation and leadership in conceiving, designing, and bringing HondaJet to a leading position in the business jet market.
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  • 2023 | Wayne Johnson

    For landmark contributions to vertical flight aeronautics and resulting computational codes enabling the design of the first tiltrotor aircraft, eVTOL aircraft, and the Mars Helicopter.
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  • 2021 | Alan C. Brown

    For Innovation and Technical Leadership of the Design and Production of the F-117, the First Stealth Fighter/Bomber Aircraft.
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  • 2020 | Ozires Silva

    For his leadership in the conception, production, and promotion of commercial aircraft, for founding Embraer S.A., and for his important roles in government and academia.
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  • 2019 | Dr Sheila E Widnall

    In recognition of her outstanding contributions to aerodynamics through research, such as the identification of the Widnall Instability, as well as through education and public service including serving as Secretary of the U.S. Air Force.
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  • 2018 | Prof Irvin Glassman

    In recognition of his profound impact on the application of combustion science and engineering to propulsion research and the successful development of propulsion systems.
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  • 2017 | Dr Paul M. Bevilaqua

    For the conception and demonstration of the multi-cycle propulsion system and other technologies enabling the production of the F-35 supersonic V/STOL Strike Fighters.
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  • 2016 | Walter Vincenti

    For seminal pioneering supersonic wind tunnel research, education in high temperature gas dynamics, and exceptional contributions to the history of engineering technology.
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  • 2015 | Antony Jameson

    For exceptional contributions to algorithmic innovation and the development of computational fluid dynamic codes that have made important contributions to aircraft design.
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  • 2014 | Alan R. Mulally

    For leadership in the creation, design, development, and manufacture of commercial airplanes, exemplified by the Boeing 777.
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  • 2013 | Abraham E. Karem

    For a lifetime of innovative fixed and rotary wing unmanned vehicle designs.
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  • 2012 | Frank Robinson

    For conception, design, and manufacture of a family of quiet, affordable, reliable, and versatile helicopters.
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  • 2011 | Burt Rutan

    For a distinguished career of highly innovative and successful flight vehicles ranging from home built designs to Voyager and SpaceShipOne.
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  • 2010 | Robert Liebeck

    For distinguished engineering as evidenced by the conception and development of Liebeck airfoils and Blended Wing Body aircraft.
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  • 2009 | Arthur Bryson

    For a lifetime of seminal contributions to real systems, creating and applying practical optimal control and estimation techniques to airplanes, rotorcraft, and missiles.
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  • 2008 | Earl Dowell

    For pioneering contributions to nonlinear aeroelasticity, structural dynamics and unsteady aerodynamics which had a significant influence on aeronautics and for contributions to education and public service in aerospace engineering.
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  • 2007 | Alexander Flax

    For outstanding contributions to aerospace engineering in aeroelasticity, unsteady aerodynamics and flight mechanics, and for exceptional leadership of engineering organizations including service to the U.S. Department of Defense.
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  • 2006 | Robert Loewy

    For pioneering contributions to rotary-wing aeroelasticity and unsteady aerodynamics which had an enormous influence on rotary-wing technology and his contributions to education and public service in aeronautics.
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  • 2005 | Eugene Covert

    For exemplary leadership in aeronautics teaching and research, development of significant state-of-the-art aerodynamic testing techniques, and outstanding contributions to public service.
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  • 2004 | Courtland Perkins

    For outstanding contributions to aeronautics in research and teaching in stability and control, and superlative leadership at the national and international levels.
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  • 2003 | Holt Ashley

    For pioneering contributions to research, education, and engineering in aeroelasticity, unsteady aerodynamics, and aircraft design. 2002 John Borger For significant pioneering contributions to aircraft and the airline industry from flying boats to jet aircraft.
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  • 2002 | John Borger

    For significant pioneering contributions to aircraft and the airline industry from flying boats to jet aircraft.
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  • 2001 | Richard Whitcomb

    For seminal contributions in aeronautics, including the development of the Area Rule, Supercritical airfoil. And Winglet concept, which are the basis for modern aerodynamic design.
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  • 2000 | William H. Pickering

    In recognition of a distinguished career that pioneered and shaped the exploration of our solar system and for extraordinary contributions to engineering and space.
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  • 1999 | Frank Marble

    For major fundamental theoretical and experimental contributions to the fields of internal aerodynamics, combustion and propulsion especially with respect to gas turbines and rockets, and educating generations of leaders in industry and academia.   Full biography

  • 1998 | Richard Coar

    For outstanding leadership and innovative contributions in providing advanced aeronautical and space propulsion systems.
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  • 1997 | Abe Silverstein

    For technical contributions and visionary leadership in advancing the technology of aircraft and propulsion performance, and for the foresight in establishing the Mercury and Gemini manned space flight activities.
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  • 1996 | William Sears

    For lifelong contributions to Aeronautics in industry and academia from the aerodynamics of the flying wing to the invention of the adaptive wind tunnel.
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  • 1995 | Robert Seamans, Jr

    For life-long technical contributions and technical leadership in academia, industry and government as NASA deputy administrator during the Apollo program and in several other government positions.
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  • 1994 | Helmut Korst

    For a legacy of developments in aeronautics where none previously existed; for mentoring a cascade of students and colleagues dedicated to the art and science of fluid mechanics and for a lifetime of inspiration and leadership to the international engineering community.
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  • 1993 | Ludwig Bolkow

    For visionary leadership and innovation in the design of rotorcraft, light aircraft, missiles and space systems.
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  • 1992 | Bernard Koff

    For continuing leadership in the aircraft gas turbine industry producing many innovative and technological breakthroughs in material and design.
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  • 1991 | Hans P. von Ohain

    For pioneering the development of turbo jet propulsion resulting in the first flight of a jet powered aircraft in 1939 and his lifetime achievements in aeronautical propulsion dynamics.
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  • 1990 | Joseph F. Sutter

    For outstanding engineering achievement, management, and leadership in the innovative development of three generations of commercial jet aircraft - in particular the 747 - and his contribution to the enhancement of safety in air and space.
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  • 1989 | Fred E. Weick

    For development of the NACA cowl and the steerable tricycle landing gear which resulted in significant improvement in practical aircraft design and performance.
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  • 1988 | J R D Tata

    For a lifetime of significant contributions to aviation, for pioneering work in developing commercial air travel in India and Asia, and for his leadership in establishing Air India as a major international link between Asia and the rest of the world.
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  • 1987 | Paul MacCready

    For his combination of high flying gossamer vision and down to earth engineering skill which made the ancient dream of human powered flight come true and for his contemporary imagination in re-creating the ancient pterdactyl, Quetzalcoatlus Northropi.
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  • 1986 | Hans Wolfgang Liepmann

    For outstanding leadership in fluid mechanics research and education. His influence contributed significantly to the development of a generation of outstanding leaders in the field.
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  • 1985 | Thornton Arnold Wilson

    For a lifetime contribution to the successful development of commercial and military aircraft and for his outstanding leadership and management skills.
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  • 1984 | Thomas Davis

    For outstanding achievements in the development of an airline, of unique general aviation services and, of personnel training techniques accomplished continuously during a period of more than forty years.
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  • 1983 | Nicholas J. Hoff

    For a lifetime of significant contributions to the theory and practice of aeronautical structures design as an outstanding scholar and educator.
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  • 1982 | David S. Lewis

    For his longstanding contributions to the theory and practice of aeronautical structures design as an outstanding scholar and educator.
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  • 1981 | Clarence L. (Kelly) Johnson

    For his brilliant design of a wide range of pace-setting commercial, combat, and reconnaissance aircraft and for his innovative management techniques which developed these aircraft in record time at minimum cost.
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  • 1980 | Edward C. Wells

    For his outstanding contributions to the management concepts for the development of complex aerospace systems, and for his significant personal accomplishment in the design and production of a long line of the world’s most famous commercial and military aircraft.
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  • 1979 | Gerhard Neumann

    For the development of highly efficient aircraft engines for commercial and military purposes, including creation of one of the first successful turbofan engines which contributed significantly to the efficiency and success of the airline industry.
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  • 1978 | Edward H. Heinemann

    For outstanding achievement in the innovative design of military airplanes which are noted or longevity of service, versatility of tasks, simplicity of design, light but rugged structure, high performance and elegance of line.
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  • 1977 | Cyrus R. Smith

    For significant public service of enduring value in development of military and civil air transportation and for his contributions as a dynamic leader and articulate spokesman for U.S. aviation progress.
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  • 1976 | Marcel Dassult

    For notable achievement in development, production and marketing of many types of aircraft of high performance and outstanding leadership in world aviation.
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  • 1975 | Dwane L. Wallace

    For his many engineering, management and leadership contributions in the development of general aviation form a novelty forty years ago to a key part of the world's transportation system today.
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  • 1974 | Floyd L. Thompson

    For farsighted development of men and facilities, and for decisive leadership of research that provided technological foundations for manned flight beyond the speed of sound, safe re-entry of spacecraft, and successful exploration of space.
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  • 1973 | William McPherson Allen

    For outstanding courage, leadership and pioneering foresight that contributed outstandingly to civil and military aviation, including the evolution of jet transport; and for hid broad counsel and support to government and industry during a distinguished career.
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  • 1972 | William C. Mentzer (posthumous)

    For manifold accomplishments in airline engineering, maintenance and economic disciplines, which accomplishments contributed significantly to the achievement of today's civil air transportation systems.
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  • 1971 | Sir Archibald E. Russell

    For his personal devotion and many contributions to aircraft engineering and design and particularly for his outstanding leadership of the Bristol team in the development of the Anglo-French "Concorde" Supersonic Transport Aircraft.
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  • 1970 | Jakob Ackeret

    For original and outstanding contributions to aerodynamics, aviation, and engineering education.
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  • 1969 | H. Julian Allen

    For personal contributions to outstanding research and development leading to vastly improved re-entry bodies, missiles, satellites, and spacecraft, and for leadership in directing and inspiring a large group of research men at Ames Laboratory.
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  • 1968 | H. M. Horner

    For his lifelong dedication and significant contributions to the advancement of modern aviation through the development and production of an outstanding series of aircraft power plants and spacecraft propulsion engines.
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  • 1967 | George S. Schairer

    For his many contributions to the achievement of outstanding progress in sub-sonic flight, and in the promise of supersonic flight, and in the equipment and methods for space exploration.
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  • 1966 | Charles Stark Draper

    For contributions to aeronautical education and significant developments in new fields of aircraft instrumentation, in particular for pioneering inertial guidance techniques making possible in rout navigation independently of earth references; for over twenty-five years of leadership, in the technology of control and guidance of flight vehicle, and with the training of engineers in this vital field of aeronautics and astronautics.
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  • 1965 | Sir Sydney Camm (posthumous)

    For over fifty years of continuous dedication to the design of military aircraft, the pioneering of many new concepts and the creation of many successful aircraft representative of the best traditions of British design skill.
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  • 1964 | Robert H. Goddard (posthumous)

    For pioneering in rock development and astronautics, including the first liquid propelled rocket flight, and contributions toward aerodynamically applicable reaction engines.
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  • 1963 | James S. McDonnell, Jr.

    For lifetime contribution of outstanding nature in the design and development of military aircraft and for pioneer work in space technology.
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  • 1962 | James H. Kindelberger (posthumous)

    For technical and industrial leadership in producing excellent aircraft, and space equipment from early fighters to the X-15 space plane.
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  • 1961 | Jerome Lederer

    For his lifelong dedication to the cause of flight safety and his constant untiring efforts to reduce the hazards of aviation.
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  • 1960 | Grover Loening

    Pioneer, engineer, public servant. For a lifetime devoted to the advancement of aeronautics in America.
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  • 1959 | Sir George R. Edwards

    For a life time devoted to the design of military and commercial aircraft culminating in the successful introduction to world-wide commercial service of the first turbine powered propeller driven aircraft.
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  • 1958 | William Littlewood

    For leadership and continuous personal participation over a quarter of a century in developing the equipment and operating techniques of air transport.
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  • 1957 | Arthur Emmons Raymond

    For the development of a long-line successful civil and military aircraft, and for notable contributions to aeronautics in public service.
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  • 1956 | Frederick B. Rentschler (posthumous)

    For a wide range of major achievements throughout a lifetime devoted to aviation with specific reference to his many notable contributions to the vital aircraft engine field. Full biography

  • 1955 | Theodore Von Karman

    For long continued leadership in the development of aerodynamic theory and in its application to the practical problems of flight in education in the aeronautical sciences and in stimulating international cooperation in aeronautical research.
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  • 1954 | Clarence Decatur Howe

    Engineer and statesman, Minister of Trade and Commerce and Minister of Defense Production for initiating and organizing commercial air routes and services, promoting aeronautical research, development and production of aircraft and engines, and advancing the art of aeronautics.
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  • 1953 | Charles A. Lindbergh

    For pioneering achievements in flight and air navigation.
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  • 1952 | Sir Geoffrey De Havilland

    For forty years of pioneering in military and commercial aircraft and the development of long-range jet transport.
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  • 1951 | Igor Ivan Sikorsky

    For a lifetime of outstanding contributions to aeronautics, including pioneering with multi-engine airplanes, flying boats, amphibians and helicopters.
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  • 1950 | Hugh Latimer Dryden

    For outstanding leadership in aeronautical research and fundamental contributions to aeronautical science.
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  • 1949 | Edward Pearson Warner

    For pioneering in research and a continuous record of contributions to the art and science of aeronautics.
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  • 1948 | Leroy Randle Grumman

    For outstanding achievement in successfully advancing aircraft design both for Naval and peacetime use.
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  • 1947 | Lester Durand Gardner

    For outstanding achievement in advancing aeronautics, particularly for his conception and organization of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences.
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  • 1946 | Frank Whittle

    For pioneering the development of turbo-jet propulsion of aircraft.
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  • 1945 | Theodore P. Wright

    For outstanding contributions to the development of civil and military aircraft, and for notable achievement in assuring the success of our wartime aircraft production program.
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  • 1944 | Lawrence D. Bell

    For achievement in design and construction of military aircraft and for outstanding contributions to the methods of production.
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  • 1943 | Edmund Turney Allen (posthumous)

    For major contributions to aeronautics leading to important advance in airplane design, flight research, and airline operation, particularly for the presentation of new methods for operational control and for the development of scientific and systematic methods in the flight testing of aircraft for basic design and performance data.
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  • 1942 | James H. Doolittle

    For notable achievements in the advancement of both the art and the science of aeronautics.
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  • 1941 | Juan T. Trippe

    For the development and successful operation of oceanic air transport.
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  • 1940 | Glenn L. Martin

    For contributions to aeronautical development and the production of many types of aircraft of high performance.
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  • 1939 | Donald W. Douglas

    For outstanding contributions to the design and construction of transport airplanes.
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  • 1938 | Alfred H. R. Fedden

    For contributions to the development of aircraft engine design and for the specific design of the Sleeve Valve aircraft engine.
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  • 1937 | Hugo Eckener

    For notable contributions to transoceanic air-transport and to international cooperation in aeronautics.
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  • 1936 | George W. Lewis

    For pioneer and creative work in the theory of dynamics. 1935 William F. Durand For notable achievement as pioneer in laboratory research and theory of aeronautics; distinguished contributions to the theory and development of aircraft propellers.
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  • 1935 | William F. Durand

    For notable achievement as pioneer in laboratory research and theory of aeronautics; distinguished contributions to the theory and development of aircraft propellers.
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  • 1934 | William E. Boeing

    For successful pioneering and achievement in aircraft manufacturing and air transport.
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  • 1933 | Jerome C. Hunsaker

    For contributions to the science of aerodynamics, to the science and art of aircraft design, and to the practical construction and commercial utilization of rigid airships.
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  • 1932 | Juan De La Cierva

    For development of the theory and practice of the autogiro.
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  • 1931 | Frederick W. Lanchester

    For contributions to the fundamental theory of aerodynamics.
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  • 1930 | Ludwig Prandtl

    For pioneering and creative work in the theory of dynamics.
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  • 1929 | Orville Wright

    For the design and construction, with his brother now deceased, of the first successful engine-propelled airplane.
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