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Charles Kaman

American businessman, engineer and inventor

Charles Huron Kaman ( kə-MAHN; June 15, 1919 – January 31, 2011) was an American aeronautical engineer, businessman, inventor, and philanthropist, known for his work in rotary-wing flight and also in musical instrument design via the Kaman Music Corporation.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Charles Kaman (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Jun 15, 1919, died Jan 31, 2011.1

Companies

Early life and education

  • Date not recordedThe Catholic University of America3

Career

Occupation: inventor, military flight engineer, engineer.6

Business

Kaman was an aficionado of the guitar, and in 1966, he founded Ovation Instruments. The company would become the Ovation Guitar Company and developed an acoustic guitar using aerospace composite materials, featuring a rounded back design. Kaman also founded Kaman Industrial Technologies, one of the largest industrial distributors in North America. He and his second wife, Roberta, created the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation, and developed a breed of German Shepherd to act as guide dogs.

From Wikipedia’s article on Charles Kaman (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Personal life

  • BornJun 15, 1919, Washington, D.C.7
  • DiedJan 31, 2011, Bloomfield8
  • CitizenshipUnited States9

Marriage and children

Kaman's first wife was the former Helen Sylvander. They married in 1945 and divorced in 1971. Later in 1971 he remarried, to Roberta Hallock, who died in 2010. He had three children — C. William Kaman, II; Steven W. Kaman; and Mrs. Cathleen Kaman Wood.

From Wikipedia’s article on Charles Kaman (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • 2003National Inventors Hall of Fame10 12
  • 1996National Medal of Technology and Innovation10 11

Sources

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