Robinson trained at the Max Lille school in Cicero, Chicago as a mechanic, learning to fly Wright aircraft and Nieuports.
His custom built parasol was the first to fly airmail from Iowa, setting a non-stop distance record of 390 miles.
[3] Robinson developed a 706 cubic inch 100 hp six-cylinder air cooled radial engine to be built by the company to power its aircraft.
[10] In the summer of 1916, Otto Timm developed his own Robinson-powered biplane at Grinnell with oversize ailerons for aerobatic demonstration flights.
[11] A Robinson radial engine built by the Dodge Tool company is currently on display at Grinnell College.