Collier Trophy Explained

Robert J. Collier Trophy
Awarded For:"the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."
Presenter:National Aeronautic Association (NAA)

The Robert J. Collier Trophy is an annual aviation award administered by the U.S. National Aeronautic Association (NAA), presented to those who have made "the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in America, with respect to improving the performance, efficiency, and safety of air or space vehicles, the value of which has been thoroughly demonstrated by actual use during the preceding year."[1]

Robert J. Collier, publisher of Collier's Weekly magazine, was an air sports pioneer and president of the Aero Club of America.[1] In 1910, he commissioned Baltimore sculptor Ernest Wise Keyser to make the 525lb Aero Club of America Trophy.[1] First awarded in 1911 to Glenn H. Curtiss for his successful development of the hydro-aeroplane. Collier owned a Wright Model B biplane which he purchased in 1911. Collier presented his namesake trophy several times before his death in 1918; after his World War I service.[1]

In 1922, when the Aero Club dissolved, the award was taken over by the National Aeronautic Association (NAA) and it was unofficially renamed the Robert J. Collier Trophy, which became official in 1944.[2] [1] The award is presented once a year by the NAA president, with the trophy on permanent display at the U.S. National Air and Space Museum.[1] As such, the trophy was in the custody of its 1969 co-recipient Michael Collins during his directorship of the museum.

The trophy was stolen briefly in 1978, but was recovered.[3] The thieves left it at Fort Foote park and it was recovered 26 hours from the time it went missing.[4]

Recipients

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Collier Trophy . NAA.aero . NAA . 23 July 2020.
  2. News: Playboys, Ponies, Flying Machines had Wickatunk Agog 50 Years Ago. Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. December 5, 1960. 13. Newspapers.com.
  3. Web site: Collier Trophy Stolen from Mayflower.
  4. News: Stolen Collier Trophy Found in Park. The Ithaca Journal. Ithaca, New York. June 1, 1978. 30. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  5. News: Taft Believes in Aeroplanes; Other "Bird" News. The Baltimore Sun. Baltimore, Maryland. February 4, 1912. 15. Newspapers.com.
  6. http://www.centennialofflight.net/essay/Aerospace/Curtiss/Aero2.htm "The Curtiss Company."
  7. Web site: collier-1911-1919-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 22 July 2020.
  8. News: Collier Trophy to Curtiss. New-York Tribune. New York, New York. January 30, 1913. 9. Newspapers.com.
  9. News: Orville Wright Receives the Collier Trophy for Stabilizer. The Dayton Herald. Dayton, Ohio. February 6, 1914. 14. Newspapers.com.
  10. News: Aviation Honors Awarded at Banquet. Buffalo Evening News. Buffalo, New York. January 15, 1915. 4. Newspapers.com.
  11. News: Safer Flight Trophy Awarded to Burgess. The Boston Globe. Boston, Massachusetts. January 13, 1916. 9. Newspapers.com.
  12. News: Sperry's Get Trophy. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. March 31, 1917. 20. Newspapers.com.
  13. Web site: Collier 1911–1919 Recipients. National Aeronautic Association. November 10, 2019.
  14. Web site: Collier 1920–1929 Recipients. National Aeronautic Association. November 10, 2019.
  15. Larson. George C.. August 1976. The Founding Father. Features. Flying. Ziff Davis. 99. 2. 76. 0015-4806. 20 July 2016. Google Books.
  16. News: Speed Kings of Air get 1921 Prizes. The Oregon Daily Journal. Portland, Oregon. February 26, 1922. 53. Newspapers.com.
  17. News: Collier Trophy Delivered to U.S. Air Mail Officials for Aviation Contributions. Star Tribune. Minneapolis, Minnesota. February 6, 1923. 1. Newspapers.com. Universal News Service.
  18. News: U.S. Air Mail Wins Collier Award for Aviation Promotion. Great Fall Tribune. Great Falls, Montana. February 17, 1924. 4. Newspapers.com.
  19. News: Fliers Get Collier Trophy. Pittsburgh Daily Post. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. January 18, 1925. 5. Newspapers.com.
  20. Web site: Collier 1920–1929 Recipients. October 4, 2019. National Aeronautic Association.
  21. AAHS Summer 1992. 103. Sylvanus Albert Reed Inventor. Ritchie Thomas.
  22. News: Collier Trophy Awarded by President. The Cincinnati Enquirer. Cincinnati, Ohio. February 8, 1927. 11. Newspapers.com.
  23. Book: Splendid Vision, Unswerving Purpose: Developing Air Power for the United States Air Force During the First Century of Powered Flight. 2002. 9780160675997. Kavanaugh-Jones. Helen. History Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Air Force Materiel Command .
  24. News: Coolidge to Give Medal. The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. February 29, 1928. 1. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  25. News: Air Progress. August 1989. 60.
  26. News: Collier Trophy Award Made. The Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Brooklyn, New York. June 8, 1930. 54. Newspapers.com.
  27. "A History of Collier Trophy Fails – 1930" Flying (magazine), 2012
  28. News: Pitcairn and his Associates Get Collier Trophy. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. April 6, 1931. Associated Press. 22. Newspapers.com.
  29. Web site: collier-1930-1939-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 22 July 2020.
  30. Web site: 1931 Collier Trophy Awarded .
  31. News: 1931 Collier Trophy Awarded to Packard Co's Diesel Engine. Times Union. Brooklyn, New York. March 20, 1932. 57. Newspapers.com.
  32. News: Glenn Martin is Winner of Collier Trophy. Sioux City Journal. Sioux City, Iowa. May 26, 1933. 1. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  33. News: Collier Trophy for Aviation Work Has Been Awarded to Three Daytonians. Dayton Daily News. Dayton, Ohio. June 3, 1934. 11. Newspapers.com.
  34. News: Capt. Hegenberger Wins Collier Trophy. The Tampa Times. Tampa, Florida. July 19, 1935. 5. Newspapers.com.
  35. News: Douglas Gets Collier Trophy. St. Louis Globe-Democrat. St. Louis, Missouri. July 2, 1936. 6. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  36. News: Pan American Wins Collier's Air Trophy. The Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. August 7, 1937. 2. Newspapers.com.
  37. News: U.S. Army Air Corps Wins Collier Trophy. Associated Press. The Indianapolis Star. Indianapolis, Indiana. September 16, 1938. 2. Newspapers.com.
  38. News: Howard Hughes is Winner of Collier Trophy Award. The Marion County News. Hamilton, Alabama. November 23, 1939. 3. Newspapers.com.
  39. News: 3 Scientists who Penetrated to Stratosphere Secrets Secrets Awarded. McDonough. Stephen J.. The Wilkes-Barre Record. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. February 3, 1941. 8. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  40. Web site: collier-1940-1949-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 22 July 2020.
  41. News: General Arnold Wins Collier Trophy Award. December 17, 1943. The Akron Beacon Journal. Akron, Ohio. 32. Newspapers.com.
  42. News: General Spaatz Wins Collier Air Trophy. The News Journal. Wilmington, Delaware. December 14, 1945. 29. Newspapers.com.
  43. Web site: Collier 1940–1949 Recipients. National Aeronautic Association. October 2, 2019.
  44. News: Radar Expert will Receive Collier Trophy. December 13, 1946. The Courier-Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. 16. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  45. News: Collier Trophy to Rodert for De-Icer Plan. Amarillo Daily News. Amarillo, Texas. December 12, 1947. 30. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  46. News: Three to Share Collier Trophy. Associated Press. The Semi-Weekly Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. December 15, 1948. 15. Newspapers.com.
  47. News: Aeronautics Group to get Collier Trophy. Green Bay Press-Gazette. December 24, 1949. Green Bay, Wisconsin. 7. Newspapers.com.
  48. News: 36-Pound Automatic Jet Pilot Wins Collier Trophy for Lear. The Jackson Sun. Jackson, Tennessee. December 12, 1950. 6. Newspapers.com.
  49. News: Collier Trophy Goes to Helicopter Industry. The Morning Call. Allentown, Pennsylvania. December 14, 1951. 18. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  50. Web site: collier-1950-1959-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 22 July 2020.
  51. News: Creator of Jet 'Waistline' is Collier's Trophy Winner. Associated Press. November 24, 1955. Albuquerque Journal. Albuquerque, New Mexico. 9. Newspapers.com.
  52. News: Collier Trophy Presented to Developers of B-52. The Journal Herald. Dayton, Ohio. December 5, 1956. 9. Newspapers.com.
  53. News: F-104 Reaches New Altitude Mark. The Knoxville News-Sentinel. December 16, 1959. 4. Newspapers.com. Knoxville, Tennessee. UPI.
  54. News: President to Award Collier Trophy Today. Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, New Jersey. December 5, 1960. 13. Newspapers.com.
  55. Web site: collier-1960-1969-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 22 July 2020.
  56. News: Collier Trophy Goes to X15 Pilots. The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. July 20, 1962. 7. Newspapers.com.
  57. Book: Warren-Findley, Jannelle . Mack . Pamela E. . From Engineering Science to Big Science: The NACA and NASA Collier Trophy Research Project Winners . March 26, 2018 . The NASA History Series . 1998 . NASA History Office, Office of Policy and Plans . Washington, D.C. . 0-16-049640-3 . 37451762 . 97027899 . NASA SP-4219 . 165 . The Collier as Commemoration: The Project Mercury Astronauts and the Collier Trophy . https://history.nasa.gov/SP-4219/Chapter7.html#Chapt7-5.
  58. News: Astronauts Have Their Day at the White House. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. October 11, 1963. 3. Newspapers.com.
  59. News: LeMay says Air Power Short in Viet Nam. The Missoulian. Missoula, Montana. October 22, 1965. 16. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  60. News: McDonnell Wins Top Aerospace Award. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. April 14, 1967. 8. Newspapers.com. Associated Press.
  61. Web site: Collier 1960-1969 Recipients - NAA: National Aeronautic Association. naa.aero. 15 January 2019.
  62. News: Apollo 11 Honor. May 7, 1970. The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. 3. Newspapers.com.
  63. Web site: Collier 1970-1979 Recipients - NAA: National Aeronautic Association. naa.aero. 31 July 2017.
  64. News: Apollo 15 astronauts, Gilruth to be honored. El Dorado Times. El Dorado, Arkansas. Haugland. Vern. Associated Press. Newspapers.com. March 22, 1972. 13.
  65. "A History of Collier Trophy Fails – 1972" Flying (magazine), 2012
  66. News: Collier Trophy at Test Range. The Orlando Sentinel. Orlando, Florida. October 3, 1974. 21. Newspapers.com.
  67. Web site: Collier 1970-1979 Recipients - NAA: National Aeronautic Association. naa.aero. 2019-04-09.
  68. News: General Dixon Receives Oldest Aviation Award. Daily Press. Newport News, Virginia. April 13, 1978. 3. Newspapers.com. Budahn. P.J..
  69. Web site: Collier 1980-1989 Recipients - NAA: National Aeronautic Association. National Aeronautic Association.
  70. Web site: Millbrooke . Anne . "More Favored than the Birds": The Manned Maneuvering Unit in Space . History.NASA.gov . NASA . 31 July 2020.
  71. "A History of Collier Trophy Fails – 1987" Flying (magazine), 2012
  72. Maisel, Martin D., Demo J. Giulianetti and Daniel C. Dugan. NASA SP-2000-4517, "The History of the XV-15 Tilt Rotor Research Aircraft: From Concept to Flight" (PDF) p155 NASA, 2000. Accessed: 17 March 2012.
  73. Web site: Collier 1990-1999 Recipients. National Aeronautics Association.
  74. Freeze . Christopher . Award-Winning Teamwork . Air Line Pilot . December 2021 . 23–24.
  75. Web site: Collier 2000-2009 Recipients. National Aeronautic Association.
  76. . Propulsion System in Lockheed Martin Joint Strike Fighter Wins Collier Trophy. dead. Fort Worth, TX. Lockheed Martin. https://web.archive.org/web/20110525131323/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2003/PropulsionSystemInLockheedMartinJoi.html. 25 May 2011. 28 February 2003. 10 January 2010.
  77. "GAPAN to bestow top flight operations award on Nick Lappos" HeliHub, 2 October 2013. Accessed: 13 October 2013.
  78. Web site: Press Release 2007 Collier Winner . NAA.aero . NAA . 23 July 2020.
  79. Web site: NAA ANNOUNCES COMMERCIAL AVIATION SAFETY TEAM (CAST) AS THE WINNER OF THE 2008 ROBERT J. COLLIER TROPHY . National Aeronautic Association . NAA . 28 May 2020.
  80. . Sikorsky X2 Technology™ Demonstrator Wins Prestigious Robert J. Collier Trophy. Stratford, CT. Sikorsky. 15 March 2011. 20 July 2016.
  81. Warwick. Graham. Sikorsky's X2 – Collier Win, Commercial Next?. dead. 8 March 2014. Aviation Week. 16 March 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309024850/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=blog%3Aa68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9c&plckPostId=Blog%3Aa68cb417-3364-4fbf-a9dd-4feda680ec9cPost%3Ae6c2886e-d967-4972-b8e7-bfe6ed3fb88e. 9 March 2014.
  82. Larson. George. Sikorsky's X2 and the Collier Trophy. 8 March 2014. Aviation Week. 23 March 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20140309025208/http://www.aviationweek.com/Blogs.aspx?plckBlogId=Blog%3A2f16318d-d960-4e49-bc9f-86f1805f2c7f&plckPostId=Blog%3A2f16318d-d960-4e49-bc9f-86f1805f2c7fPost%3A39ad84ac-5874-43ab-b240-b109f93c69c2. 9 March 2014. dead.
  83. Web site: collier-2010-2019-winners . NAA.aero . NAA . 23 July 2020.
  84. . Boeing 787 Dreamliner Wins Coveted Collier Trophy. Washington DC. Boeing. PR Newswire. 13 March 2012. 20 July 2016.
  85. Web site: Collier 2010-2019 Recipients - NAA: National Aeronautic Association. National Aeronautic Association.
  86. Web site: Bosco . Cassandro . NASA/JPL Mars Curiosity Project Team Receive 2012 Robert J. Collier Trophy . March 12, 2013 . . February 9, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140223025521/http://naa.aero/siteadmin/data/document/Collier%202012%20PR.pdf . February 23, 2014 .
  87. News: Kauh. Elaine. Gulfstream G650 Wins 2014 Collier Trophy. 13 March 2015. AVweb. 12 March 2015.
  88. News: Kauh. Elaine. NASA-JPL Dawn Mission Team Wins 2015 Collier Trophy. 22 May 2016. AVweb. 10 March 2016.
  89. News: Berry. Stephanie. Blue Origin New Shepard to Receive the 2016 Robert J. Collier Trophy. 29 Mar 2017. NAA. 29 March 2017.
  90. Cirrus Aircraft Vision Jet to be awarded the 2017 Robert J. Collier Trophy . April 4, 2018 . NAA.
  91. Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System Team to Receive the 2018 Robert J. Collier Trophy . April 5, 2019 . NAA.
  92. Web site: The United States Department of the Air Force - Boeing X-37B Team to Receive the 2019 Robert J. Collier Trophy . 13 August 2020.
  93. Web site: Garmin Autoland to Receive the 2020 Robert J. Collier Trophy . NAA . 3 June 2021.
  94. Web site: James Webb Space Telescope Team Earns the 2022 Robert J. Collier Trophy. NAA.