charlie , wilbur attach canoe onto new flyer @ governor s island new york, october 1909.
in september, 1909 taylor accompanied wilbur, new model flyer, governor s island, new york city. wilbur make several over-water flights @ hudson-fulton celebration, demonstrating airplane millions of new yorkers , showcasing new technology of practical flight. charlie ably assisted wilbur, though did not fly him. charlie made sure engine worked daring , dangerous over-water trips. pair installed watertight canoe flyer s lower wing buoyancy in case of emergency landing in hudson river.
taylor became leading mechanic in wright company after formed in 1909. when calbraith perry rodgers made trip long island california in 1911 in newly-bought wright aircraft, paid taylor $70 week (a large sum @ time) mechanic. taylor followed flight train, arriving @ next rendezvous before rodgers, make required repairs , prepare aircraft next day s flight.
taylor worked wright-martin company in dayton until 1920. later moved california , invested life savings in several hundred acres of real estate near salton sea, venture failed. returned dayton in 1936, , , orville helped henry ford in planning, moving , restoration of wright family home , 1 of wright brothers bicycle shops ford s dearborn, michigan, heritage village great americans. orville gave taylor annuity of $800 year.
in 1941 taylor returned california, finding work in defense factory. had heart attack in 1945 , no longer able work. 1955 annuity , social security income inadequate , became charity case in los angeles county hospital. when plight publicized, aviation industry raised funds move him private facility.
he died on january 30, 1956, 8 years day after orville, friend , employer. taylor buried @ portal of folded wings shrine aviation in burbank, california, shrine aviation history.
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