American aviation pioneer Albin Kasper Longren onboard what appears to be a 1907-08 Indian single as he cruises the downtown streets of Clay Center, KS. A common attribute amongst America’s earliest birdmen, Longren spent his early years behind the counter of a local hardware store, fidgeting with the mechanics of bicycles, automobiles, and motorcycles in his spare time. He first took to the skies on September 2, 1911, in a biplane of his own design, designing, manufacturing, and selling a variety of different aircraft shortly thereafter. A true daredevil, Longren funded his aviation company in those early years with revenues made performing aviation stunt shows and exhibitions across the country as one of the country’s earliest Barnstormers. His entrepreneurial aspirations were interrupted during America’s involvement with WWI and Longren became the chief inspector in the country's first military aviation research program. The program, based at McCook Field in Dayton, OH, hosted many of the country’s most talented aviators as well as a handful of newly enlisted professional motorcycle racers like the legendary Maldwyn Jones. After the war ended Longren returned to his airplane manufacturing company, and though it wouldn’t make it past the mid-1920’s, Longren continued to be an innovative force in the American aviation industry, claiming dozens of foundational patents, and lending his talents to aeronautics firms like Luscombe and Cessna.