Martin, Glenn Luther (1886-1955), was an American aircraft designer and manufacturer. One Martin bomber, designed during World War I (1914-1918), was standard in the Army Air Forces for many years. The Martin B-10 bomber was flown for the first time in 1932. The B-10 set a new standard for bomber aircraft, because it could fly faster than most of the pursuit planes of its day.
During World War II (1939-1945), Martin directed production of bombers and flying boats, including the B-26 bomber. He pioneered in building large transoceanic flying boats.
Martin was born in Macksburg, Iowa. After several years of working and learning to glide, he flew for the first time in 1909 in an airplane he had designed and built himself. By 1911 he had become one of the best-known flyers in the United States. He flew at fairs and exhibitions to publicize aviation. Martin was involved in several manufacturing firms, including a partnership with the Wright brothers, the inventors of the first successful airplane.
