Waldo Waterman

Waldo Dean Waterman (June 16, 1894 – December 8, 1976) was an inventor and aviation pioneer from San Diego, California.

He developed a series of tailless swept-wing aircraft incorporating tricycle landing gear, culminating in a low-cost and simple-to-fly flying car.

In 1929, Waterman built his first tailless monoplane, the Whatsit, which also used the then unusual tricycle landing gear.

[2] As well as the Whatsit, in 1930 Waterman produced another innovative design with a low-wing monoplane that could change the dihedral of its wings during flight for shorter takeoffs, increased flight speed, and slower landing speeds according to the designer in its debut at the National Air races in Chicago.

The Autoplane never flew, but was exhibited at the Pan-American Aeronautic Exposition in New York City's Grand Central Palace.

Three Arrowbiles attempted a flight from Santa Monica to Cleveland but one had to turn back after only reaching Arizona.

5 was never completed), rechristened the Aerobile is on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (Smithsonian Air and Space museum extension in Dulles, Virginia).

In the early 1970s, Waterman directed the construction of a replica of his biplane hang glider, built in his youth.

This was done in conjunction with Michael Riggs of Seagull Aircraft, based in one of Waterman's Santa Monica buildings.