The S-1 was developed to produce aircraft with existing capacity and skill of Loughead workers after the end of World War I contracts.

The aircraft specifications were to be STOL, affordable, as well as capable of being stored in a garage and towed by a car.

[1] The S-1 was originally intended to be a two-seater, but was switched to a single place design to make production costs lower.

The fuselage was built using an all-wood, multi-layer monocoque laid up in concrete molds.

[2] Roll control was via a system that pivoted the entire lower wing surfaces.