Charles Frederick Page
Words on image: Pineville, Louisiana, Charles F. Page (top left image) predates the Wright Brothers in the invention of the airship according to a local historian.
Charles Frederick Page, was a Black man who was born into slavery and taught himself how to read and write.
But more impressively according to Local Historian Michael Wynne, Page patented the first airship.
Top right images: Charles F. Page's USPTO Patent for an Airship, Patented
Application Filed: APR. 24. 1903.
Application Granted: APR. 10, 1906. 0. F. PAGE. ' AIR SHIP.
Family of Charles Frederick Page, (bottom left image) Fights to Recognize His Aviation Legacy
Source: KLAX ABC 13 NEWS
Source of Page's patent drawings USPTO
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Pineville man Charles F. Page predates Wright Brothers in invention of airship according to local historian
Brandon Brown - October 6, 2023 - KLAX ABC 13 News
PINEVILLE, La – When names like Orville and Wilbur Wright are mentioned, the beginning of aviation is often the thought that follows. But history changes as we learn more truths that were erased, and it's time to introduce another name into the conversation.
“He’s doing something that virtually no other person in world history did, and he did it here in Pineville,” said local historian Michael Wynne.
Meet Charles Frederick Page, a Black man born into slavery that taught himself how to read and write. But more impressively according to Local Historian Michael Wynne patented the first airship.
“It’s a story that truly is unbelievable and not only unbelievable that it happened, unbelievable that it’s being ignored until 2023.”
Wynne has uncovered local newspaper articles and reports from 1904 recording the outstanding feat of flight by a Black man and his airship.
His research even further led him to find Charles F. Page’s patent predates that of the Wright Brothers.
“I think Page deserves that whenever the Wright brothers are mentioned. Page should also be mentioned to some extent in our national history books.”
The innovative accomplishments of Page are not only confirmed by historical record but have lived on through family lore and Joseph Page, Frederick’s Grandson, is glad his accomplishments are finally being recognized.
“For our grandfather to finally be recognized for his contribution to aviation, it’s a significant event not just for our family but also for Central Louisiana.”
The City of Pineville unveiled a Historical Landmark in honor of Frederick Page on the land that he and his family have owned since he purchased it over a hundred years ago.
Pineville Mayor Rich Dupree has known the Page’s name since the early 2000’s for economic additions to the property, and now he shares the unveiling of history with them.
“We need to remember where we come from, and history is unveiled today in a very special way in the City of Pineville,” said Mayor Dupree.
History for Central Louisiana is changing, and Joseph Page hopes it changes elsewhere as well.
“You hear about the airplane, and you immediately think about Kitty Hawk, North Carolina and the Wright Brothers but you never have heard of Charles Frederick Page,” said Joseph Page.
Now, Pineville has a historical marker honoring Charles Frederick Page for his innovation and contributions to the community of Pineville.
As for the airship Page patented in 1906, there is no surviving model because as Page was sending his model to St. Louis for a World Convention, Wynne says it was presumably destroyed.
“It was shipped and something happened,” said Wynne. “Now, due to the Jim Crow prejudice of that time, we firmly believe that it was stolen and destroyed.”
After the destruction of the airship, Page changed route due to the racial obstacles of the time and reportedly went about his life no longer pursuing aviation excellence but rather excellence for his community and family including future descendants like Darryl Davidson.
“It’s very obvious that there were barriers and challenges that kept other people from making it as far as even he did.”
Pineville’s recognition of Page marks history for Central Louisiana but it also sends a message people should remember about history.
“The message here is that there really is only one history,” said Davidson. “That one history is what unites everybody together and gets us farther as human beings.”
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Begin Second Article
Family of Charles Frederick Page Fights to Recognize His Aviation Legacy
Brandon Brown/ KLAX ABC 13 News
When you think of aviation, the first name that comes to mind is the Wright Brothers.
But around the same time, a Pineville, Louisiana man patented his plan for the first airplane.
In his hands, Joe Page holds the proof his grandfather, Charles Frederick Page, created first patent of the airplane.
Joe Page says, “He was well ahead of time even thinking that and trying to get people together to do farming, he did a variety of things.”
Charles Frederick Page got the patent for his airship in 1906 before the Wright Brothers.
“After spending what was probably his life’s savings to put this work and model together, and then pay to ship it off to St. Louis World Fair and it never arrived, and so I’m imagining that was a huge disappointment to him.”
Charles Page planned to enter his airship into the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition in St. Louis.
Joe Page says, “He had to care for his family. He just never saw an opportunity to gather that amount of money again and deny his family of a decent living, so he never pursued it again.”
His granddaughter Kattie Williams believes his airship could have won the competition.
“I think it was actually number one, probably found by someone who didn’t want it to get there and was destroyed or it was stolen.”
Here lies Charles Frederick Page, a Black man who was never recognized for his contribution to aviation, but instead of giving up, he became a farmer and a family man.
Joe Page says, “He made bricks, he made coal, which was fuel at that time, commonly used for and it was number of things that he tried to do to better serve the community.
Kattie Williams says she enjoyed hearing stories about Charles Page growing up.
“I loved him even though I didn’t know him. I loved him as my grandfather.”
The Page family is grateful to Michael Wynne for bringing their grandfather’s story to the public.
Historian Michael Wynne says, “Not only is a historical marker needed, at one time, the England Authority was considering a mural at the airport. I think that mural should be done. I think in every venue that we can, we should remember and teach our children about Charles Frederick Page.
As they walk towards their grandfather’s grave, Kattie Williams hopes the City of Pineville recognizes who her grandfather was.
“When I say our children, African American children could look forward to that somebody at that stage, in time, had the tenacity to do something like that, they certainly can do it now.”
Charles Frederick Page built this cemetery because of his love for people. His family asks the City of Pineville to recognize his accomplishments and honor his legacy.
The Page family also asks for the City of Pineville to build a historical marker to recognize Charles Page’s accomplishments.
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