Troy in Miami County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Robert N. Hartzell
Pioneers of Aviation
— Hartzell Propeller, Inc. —
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
1. Robert N. Hartzell Marker
close up, one of three on site
Troy resident, Robert N. Hartzell, ws the founder of
Hartzell Propeller Company. When he was still a student
at the University of Cincinnati. Robert visited with his
Oakwood, Ohio neighbor, Orville Wright at his Hawthorn
Hill residence. Since the Hartzell family had been in the
hardwood business, he encouraged Robert Hartzell to get
into the propeller business. Robert started Hartzell
Propeller in 1917 in Piqua, Ohio, manufacturing hardwood
propellers. The first order resulted in Hartzell Propeller
supplying 50 propellers to the US Navy. Hartzell continued
to supply propellers for the Navy Dirigible program and
quickly evolved from making walnut propellers to
producing metal propeller blades as a subcontractor to
Curtis Wright. Robert purchased a farm to create the
Piqua, Ohio airport and later turned it over to the city.
Hartzell metal propellers were used in Cessna, Piper and
Beech aircraft, among others. A composite propeller
blade was patented in 1949 by Hartzell, which was the
first patent for a composite propeller blade. In the 1960s
and 1970s, Hartzell controlled over 90% of the light, twin
propeller industry business 
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
2. Pioneers of Aviation Marker
base of monument
Erected 2018 by The Acorn Society and the Troy Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Air & Space.
Location. 40° 2.592′ N, 84° 12.027′ W. Marker is in Troy, Ohio, in Miami County. Marker is at the intersection of North Market Street (Ohio Route 55) and West Staunton Road (County Route 14), on the left when traveling north on North Market Street. marker is in front of the Troy Senior Citizens Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 134 N Market St, Troy OH 45373, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Nancy Currie- Gregg (here, next to this marker); Clayton Brukner (here, next to this marker); Rose Hill Cemetery 1849 (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Overfield Tavern (approx. ¼ mile away); Engine Storage Location (approx. ¼ mile away); Miami County War Savings Quota Plaque (approx. 0.3 miles away); Troy's Public Square & Third Courthouse (approx. 0.3 miles away); Courthouses and Jail (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Troy.
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
3. Pioneers of Aviation Marker
marker as seen from a distance
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
4. Robert N. Hartzell
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
5. Pioneers of Aviation Marker
By Rev. Ronald Irick, July 2, 2019
6. Robert N. Hartzell Marker
Hartzell Propeller, Inc.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2019. It was originally submitted on July 6, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 87 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 6, 2019, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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