Wright Aeronautical Corporation

Paterson is famous for a number of different products manufactured here, including silk and locomotives. However, the largest manufacturer and employer in Paterson’s history was the Wright Aeronautical Corporation. The company moved to Paterson in 1920 and established its headquarters on Lewis Street. While in Paterson, they created their air-cooled Whirlwind and Cyclone engines, which were used by many early aviators including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Richard Byrd and Clarence Chamberlin. During World War II, the Paterson plant would produce approximately 77,000 engines for the allies, powering both fighter and bomber planes.

In this exhibit, you can get up close to some Wright’s engines and learn more about how these engines influenced air travel and exploration. You will also learn more about the company’s culture and the many extracurricular activities they offered their staff to foster a real sense of community within the company.