Fairchild, Sherman Mills (1896-1971), was an American inventor and businessman who pioneered in aircraft design and aerial photography. In 1918, he invented a camera with a special shutter that increased the accuracy of aerial photographs.
In the 1920’s, Fairchild founded the first of many companies he would run throughout his life. His companies developed aerial cameras, conducted aerial surveys, and designed and built airplanes. In 1926, he introduced the Fairchild FC-2 plane, the first with folding wings and an enclosed cabin instead of the usual open cockpit. The cabin protected photographers from wind and cold. During World War II (1939-1945), the United States Army used the Fairchild 71 for transport and aerial photography.
Fairchild was born on April 7, 1896, in Oneonta, New York. He died on March 28, 1971.
