Waldo Dean Waterman Park and Monument
San Diego, California · Park
About
Waldo Dean Waterman was born in San Diego on June 16, 1894. He was an inventor, entrepreneur and an Early Bird aviation pioneer. At the age of 15 he was the first person in the San Diego area to fly a heavier-than-air machine, right from this site. Waterman designed and built the first tail-less monoplane in the U.S. named the "Whatsit" It was developed over 20 years and was meant to be landed on streets and owned by the common man. It was the first aircraft to have tricycle landing gear, which is still in use today. The "Whatsit" was the precursor to his next design, the "Arrowbile", which was the first successful flying car. At the age of 78, Waldo D. Waterman was the oldest licensed pilot in the country. His contributions to aviation in this country, whether it was his inventions, teachings, or ability, helped shape the modem aviation industry. Inducted into the International Aerospace Hall of Fame, 1968.
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