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Edwin Albert Link

Edwin Albert Link (July 26, 1904 – September 7, 1981) was an American inventor, aviator, and pioneer in aviation training and underwater exploration, renowned for developing the first practical , known as the or "," which trained over 500,000 pilots during and laid the foundation for modern simulation technology. Born in , Link moved with his family to , in 1910, where his father manufactured organs and player pianos. After leaving high school, he worked in his father's business, gaining mechanical expertise from pneumatic systems that later informed his inventions. In the 1920s, Link learned to fly through barnstormers, earned his pilot's license, and began , charter flying, and instructing, during which he recognized the dangers and costs of instrument in poor weather. In 1929, at age 25, Link invented the using parts from his father's organ factory, creating a device that simulated motion and instrument responses to teach pilots to fly by instruments alone without risking real flights. He patented the design that year and founded the Link Aeronautical Corporation to produce it, later establishing Link Aviation, Inc., in 1935 with his wife, Marion Clayton Link, whom he married in 1931. Initially met with skepticism by the U.S. Army Air Corps, the trainer gained acceptance after a 1934 demonstration, and by , Link facilities produced thousands of units used for training in instrument flying, gunnery, bombing, navigation, , and , significantly reducing accidents and accelerating pilot readiness. Post-war, his simulators advanced to train astronauts for the U.S. space program and influenced modern and spacecraft simulation. In 1954, Link sold his company to General Precision Equipment Corporation, where he later served as president starting in 1958, and shifted focus to , holding over 30 U.S. patents across , , and . He pioneered through the Man-in-Sea project (1962-1964), including a record 432-foot dive using the SPID , developed the world's first submersible decompression chamber in 1962, the Deep Diver (with its first lockout dive in 1967), and the Johnson-Sea-Link launched in 1971, which featured acrylic observation spheres for deep-sea and , including treasure hunts off . Link also founded the Link Foundation in 1953 to fund and , supporting over 120 institutions and enabling Florida Atlantic University's first ocean degree in 1965 and the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute in 1971. Link's contributions earned him election to the in 1965, enshrinement in the in 1976, the Lindbergh Award in 1980, and posthumous induction into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame in 2018 and the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame in 2020. He had two sons, William Martin (born 1938) and Edwin Clayton (1941–1973), the latter dying in a accident.

Early Life

Family and Childhood

Edwin Albert Link was born on July 26, 1904, in Huntington, Indiana, to Edwin A. Link Sr. and Katherine Martin Link. His father owned the Link Piano and Organ Company, a business specializing in player pianos and organs that incorporated advanced pneumatic mechanisms for automated music production. In 1910, when Link was six years old, the family relocated to , as his father expanded the company by acquiring a struggling music firm there. Growing up around the organ manufacturing process provided young Link with early exposure to pneumatic systems, including and valves that controlled air flow to produce sounds—technical elements that would later inform his inventive pursuits. Link had brothers Horace Martin Link and George Theron Link, and a sister, Marilyn Link. He would later train his brother George in flying, drawing on skills developed in their shared family environment. During his childhood in Binghamton, Link also developed an early fascination with airplanes, which foreshadowed his future in .

Initial Interests in Aviation

Link's interest in aviation began during his teenage years in Binghamton, New York, where he attended Binghamton Central High School before leaving in 1922 to work full-time at his family's piano and organ company. From a young age, he displayed a strong aptitude for , , and , skills partly shaped by exposure to his father's innovative use of pneumatic systems in musical instruments. This mechanical foundation fueled his curiosity about flight, as he immersed himself in the burgeoning aviation scene of the post-World War I period. In 1920, at the age of 16, Link experienced his first airplane ride in a Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplane during a family trip to , an event that profoundly inspired him to pursue piloting despite his father's reservations about the dangers and costs involved. Returning to Binghamton, he began self-educating in by visiting local flying fields, where he observed the thrilling aerial exhibitions of barnstormers—itinerant pilots who performed stunts and offered rides to the public in the 1910s and early 1920s. These encounters provided practical insights into aircraft operation and navigation, as Link avidly studied the pilots' techniques and the mechanics of their open-cockpit biplanes. The barnstorming circuit, dominated by many World War I veterans including aces from units like the , profoundly influenced Link's ambitions, romanticizing aviation as a heroic endeavor and motivating him to seek hands-on involvement. To overcome financial barriers to formal lessons, he bartered menial tasks—such as planes on runways and performing —for instruction from these aviators, gradually building toward his initial solo flight attempts in the mid-1920s. This informal apprenticeship at local airstrips honed his foundational flying skills amid the excitement of the era's aviation boom.

Aviation Innovations

Path to Becoming an Aviator

Edwin A. Link obtained his private pilot's license in 1927 after undergoing in , where he had grown up and worked in his family's organ manufacturing business. At age 23, this achievement came at significant personal expense and risk, marking his transition from aviation enthusiast to licensed aviator. Following certification, Link pursued early flying jobs to build experience and income, including across the country with fellow pilots and performing for mapping purposes. He also engaged in charter flights and provided flight instruction, often using the first aircraft delivered that year, which allowed him to accumulate substantial flight hours while navigating the precarious economics of post-World War I . These ventures fostered early entrepreneurial ideas, such as expanding local services in Binghamton to include reliable and instructional offerings amid growing interest in personal flying. Link's practical experience revealed critical limitations in aviation training, particularly during encounters with poor weather conditions where reliance on visual cues failed, leading to dangerous disorientation in instrument flying. These struggles underscored the hazards of learning solely through actual flights, as sudden or low visibility could result in fatal errors without prior simulated practice. His background in from the family business provided a foundational understanding of instruments, aiding his grasp of the mechanical challenges involved.

Development of the Flight Simulator

In 1928, Edwin Link began conceptualizing a device to simulate flight, drawing on his experience with pneumatic systems from his family's business to create realistic motion without relying on actual . This idea stemmed from his own frustrations with the risks of learning flying during adverse while piloting his . By 1929, Link constructed the first prototype of what became known as the or "" in the basement of his family's home in . The device utilized a wooden frame for the structure, metal components for controls and pivots, and pneumatic powered by a to replicate , roll, and yaw movements. These , adapted from technology, expanded and contracted to tilt and turn the simulator, providing a grounded yet immersive flying experience independent of external weather conditions. Link filed a for the core mechanism on March 12, 1930, which was granted as U.S. 1,825,462 on September 29, 1931, covering the combination training device for student aviators that integrated control inputs with responsive motion . The patent described a frame simulating an airplane seat, fluid-actuated means for movement controllable from the seat, and mechanisms to indicate changes, laying the foundation for instrument-based training. Key features of the prototype included a universal joint-mounted cockpit capable of 360-degree rotation on a turntable base, an instrument panel with artificial horizon, , , and turn coordinator to mimic real flight gauges, and a separate instructor console for programming flight scenarios, injecting simulated emergencies, and tracking the student's performance via synchronized dials. These elements allowed trainees to practice blind flying solely by instruments in a controlled environment, emphasizing spatial orientation without visual references. To validate the trainer's efficacy, Link used the prototype to instruct his younger brother, George Link, who learned using the device in 1929. This demonstration highlighted the device's potential to accelerate safe pilot proficiency by building and instrument reliance before real flights.

Founding of Link Aeronautical Corporation

In 1929, Edwin A. Link incorporated the Link Aeronautical Corporation in , to manufacture and market his invention, the , a pioneering constructed using pneumatic components adapted from his family's organ-building business. The company began operations in a modest facility, focusing on the production of these early trainers designed to replicate aircraft motion through compressed air bellows and valves. Initial output was limited, with the corporation producing a small number of trainers each year that were primarily sold to amusement parks as coin-operated rides and to civilian flight schools for basic instrument training. In 1930, Link established the Link Flying School in Binghamton to showcase the device's practical value, helping to generate interest among local pilots and enthusiasts despite the novelty of simulated at the time. These early commercial efforts highlighted the trainer's appeal beyond , positioning it as an accessible and educational tool. The severely strained the young company's finances, limiting sales and forcing Link to explore side ventures, such as illuminated advertising signs, to keep operations afloat. To sustain the , Link drew on resources from the family-owned Link Piano and Organ Company, which provided both materials and financial backing during these challenging years. Following his marriage to Marion Clayton in 1931, she assumed key responsibilities in managing daily operations and administrative tasks, contributing significantly to the corporation's stability. A turning point came in 1934 when the U.S. Army Air Corps awarded the company's first contract, ordering six fully instrumented Link Trainers for $3,500 each to train pilots in instrument flying under adverse conditions. This order marked a shift toward broader recognition of the trainer's utility in professional instruction.

Expansion through Link Aviation

In 1934, the company originally known as Link Aeronautical Corporation was reorganized and renamed Link Aviation, Inc., to encompass a wider range of instruments and devices beyond initial flight simulators. The onset of catalyzed massive expansion, as demand for pilot equipment skyrocketed amid threats in and . By 1945, Link Aviation had produced over 10,000 flight trainers, which were instrumental in preparing more than 500,000 Allied pilots for instrument flying and combat conditions. These devices were shipped to over 35 countries, underscoring their global impact on wartime readiness. To meet evolving military needs, Link Aviation integrated advanced features into its trainers, including simulation for operations and gunnery modules for anti-aircraft and navigation training. These enhancements allowed pilots to practice complex scenarios, such as radar-guided intercepts and aerial gunnery, in a safe, controlled environment, significantly reducing training risks and costs. Following the war, Link Aviation diversified into civilian applications and international markets, adapting its simulators for commercial airline pilot and exporting them to foreign carriers. This shift supported the postwar boom in , with sales to airlines emphasizing instrument proficiency for safer passenger flights. In 1954, and Link sold the company to General Precision Equipment Corporation, which facilitated ongoing innovations in simulation technology, including early electronic and integrations for more sophisticated trainers.

Establishment of the Link Foundation

In 1953, Edwin A. Link and his wife, Marion Clayton Link, established the Link Foundation using personal funds derived from the profits of his aviation enterprises, including Link Aviation, Inc. The nonprofit organization was created to promote advanced research and education in fields aligned with Link's expertise, initially emphasizing aeronautics and simulation training, with a later expansion into ocean engineering. The foundation's board of trustees initially included family members, such as Marion Link, who served as a key figure in its governance and reflected the personal commitment of the founders to philanthropic endeavors in technical education. From its outset, the foundation focused on grant programs offering fellowships and awards to support doctoral students, researchers, and innovative projects, cumulatively disbursing over $14 million by the early to more than 120 universities and nonprofit institutions. Early grants prioritized advancements in aviation, including research on instrument flying techniques and safety protocols to reduce pilot errors in adverse conditions, building directly on Link's pioneering work with flight simulators. These initiatives funded studies at institutions like Cornell University and the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences, fostering practical improvements in pilot training methodologies and contributing to broader enhancements in aeronautical safety standards. By channeling resources into such targeted programs, the foundation ensured sustained progress in simulation-based education and related technologies.

Undersea Exploration

Shift to Oceanography

Following World War II, Edwin A. Link developed a growing fascination with ocean exploration, driven by his personal interests in sailing and skin diving, which led him to pursue underwater archaeology and engineering in the early 1950s. This shift was influenced by the era's burgeoning interest in marine science, including the works of pioneers like Jacques Cousteau, whose films and books popularized undersea adventures and highlighted the need for advanced diving technologies. Link's aviation background, with its emphasis on controlled environments and instrumentation, naturally extended to the challenges of deep-sea operations, where he sought to apply similar principles to enable human presence beneath the waves. In the mid-1950s, Link resigned from active management of Link Aviation Devices to focus on these personal projects, stepping down as in 1953 and serving briefly as chairman before the company was sold to General Precision Equipment Corporation in 1954. This transition allowed him to dedicate time to ocean-related endeavors, including the brief expansion of the Link Foundation to support grants in marine research as a bridge between his legacy and undersea pursuits. By the early 1960s, he began conducting initial experiments with diving bells and techniques, developing equipment such as the world's first submersible chamber in 1962 to facilitate longer, safer underwater stays. These efforts built on contemporary research and aimed to overcome limitations for extended dives. Link's practical steps included acquiring and modifying a , purchasing a 65-foot shrimp trawler in 1952 that he converted into the Sea Diver for expedition support, later upgrading it to the more capable Sea Diver II between 1957 and 1959 for transatlantic voyages and deep-water operations. This vessel became central to his exploratory work, equipped for artifact recovery and testing new systems. In 1965, he formalized his commercial interests by co-founding Ocean Systems, Inc., a $1 million venture with Corporation and General Precision Equipment, aimed at advancing for resource extraction on the continental shelf, including dives to 600 feet and plans for 1,000-foot depths using pressurized habitats. As chief marine consultant, Link oversaw innovations like underwater elevators and tents to enable multi-day operations by teams of divers.

Man-in-Sea Project

The Man-in-Sea Project was launched in 1962, marking Edwin A. Link's innovative effort to extend human capabilities into the underwater environment. His son Edwin Clayton Link served as a key collaborator in the development and execution of undersea initiatives, including aspects of this project. The project began with the Submersible Decompression Chamber (SDC), a pioneering device for . On August 28, 1962, at on the , Link conducted a preliminary saturation dive, spending 8 hours at 60 feet (18 meters), becoming the first person to decompress in a chamber after prolonged pressurization. This was followed by the first major saturation dive on September 6, 1962, when Robert Sténuit spent over 24 hours at approximately 200 feet (61 meters) in the SDC, validating extended immersion techniques. Man-in-Sea II, conducted in June–July 1964 in the of , featured the SPID (Submersible Portable Inflatable Dwelling) . Sténuit and inhabited SPID for 49 hours at 432 feet (132 meters), setting a record for depth and duration at the time. These dives employed a helium-oxygen breathing mixture to mitigate and risks, supported by comprehensive systems—including gas supply, environmental controls, and communication links—meticulously designed by Link to ensure physiological stability and operational efficiency. Overall, the Man-in-Sea Project demonstrated the feasibility of extended human presence on the seafloor, enabling scientists to perform uninterrupted research and exploration tasks that advanced oceanographic knowledge and undersea technology.

Design of Submersibles

Following the success of stationary underwater habitats in the Man-in-Sea project, Link advanced to mobile designs that enabled deeper, more versatile ocean access. In 1967, he developed the Deep Diver, the world's first small lockout , allowing divers to exit and re-enter the vehicle while submerged at depth. This 22-foot-long, 8.25-ton craft, built by Perry Submarine Builders, featured a self-contained pressure hull and lockout chamber designed for , with an operational depth capability of up to 1,200 feet. During initial tests in 1967 off Island in , Deep Diver achieved a lockout dive to 430 feet, where divers conducted observations in a pressurized environment equivalent to the habitat's depth. In 1968, Deep Diver underwent further testing, including a significant lockout excursion to 700 feet off Andros Island, where two divers spent time outside the vehicle collecting samples and exploring the seafloor. These dives demonstrated the submersible's maneuverability and reliability for scientific missions, with the craft propelled by a 48-amp electric motor achieving speeds up to 3 knots. Link's innovations in Deep Diver included patented components for pressure-resistant hulls and detachable capsules, which enhanced safety and functionality in high-pressure environments; these formed part of his 33 total patents spanning aviation and ocean engineering. Building on this foundation, Link collaborated with to create the Sea Link I, launched in 1971 as a advanced research funded in part by philanthropist J. Seward . This 23.6-foot vehicle, weighing approximately 18,000 pounds, was rated for dives to 3,000 feet and incorporated key technical advancements, including a 5-inch-thick viewing sphere—58 inches in diameter—that provided panoramic visibility for the pilot and observer while withstanding extreme pressures. It also featured dual manipulator arms for precise sample collection, such as rocks and organisms, and a saturation lockout chamber accessible via an 18.5-inch overhead hatch, enabling extended diver excursions without immediate decompression. Powered for high maneuverability at up to 1 knot, with backup life support for 20 person-days, Sea Link I prioritized conceptual safety and operational efficiency over raw speed, setting a standard for deep-sea research vehicles.

Contributions to Underwater Archaeology

In the 1950s and , Edwin Link designed the Sea Diver, a converted 65-foot equipped as a for underwater artifact , and the Sea Diver II, a purpose-built 91-foot, 168-ton featuring an underwater television camera, jet hoses for sediment removal, and a chamber to support operations at depths up to 40 feet. These vessels facilitated precise excavation and during archaeological fieldwork, minimizing site disturbance compared to traditional methods. Link led expeditions in the region during the 1960s, targeting ancient sites such as in , where his team uncovered and later artifacts including an Achaemenid storage jar dating to 539–331 BCE. In the during the 1950s and 1970s, he conducted surveys of shipwrecks, notably at , , a 17th-century , recovering hundreds of items from colonial-era vessels and structures. These efforts focused on historical trade routes and maritime heritage, with operations in areas like , , and the targeting Spanish galleons. Link employed submersibles, including the Deep Diver and Johnson-Sea-Link, for non-destructive mapping and selective sample collection, using onboard cameras to document sites visually before any physical intervention; this approach enabled deeper access beyond limits while preserving contextual integrity. He collaborated with institutions such as the , , , and Emory University's Candler School of Theology, with projects partly funded by the Link Foundation to support academic and curatorial involvement. Among the key discoveries were amphorae and storage vessels indicative of ancient Mediterranean trade, alongside tools and personal items like brass pocket watches, smoking pipes, and spoons from 17th-century Caribbean wrecks, which informed preservation techniques such as in-situ documentation and controlled recovery to prevent corrosion and fragmentation. These finds, now housed in museums like Emory's Michael C. Carlos Museum, advanced methodologies for underwater site conservation by integrating engineering with archaeological ethics.

Family Tragedy in Diving

On June 17, 1973, during a test dive in the Johnson Sea Link submersible off the coast of Florida near , Edwin Clayton Link, the 31-year-old son of inventor Edwin A. Link, was one of four occupants exploring wreckage at the American Shoal site. The submersible, designed by Edwin A. Link for the Harbor Branch Foundation, became entangled in cables and debris from the scuttled USS Fred T. Berry destroyer due to strong currents, trapping it at a depth of approximately 330 feet. The entanglement prevented the Johnson Sea Link from surfacing, leading to a critical failure in the aft compartment's carbon dioxide scrubber system, where low temperatures from the prolonged immersion reduced the effectiveness of the Baralyme absorbent. Edwin Clayton Link and fellow occupant Albert Dennison Stover, both in the aft section, died from carbon dioxide poisoning around 1:00 a.m. EDT on June 18, while the two in the forward compartment survived with minor injuries. Rescue operations, coordinated by Edwin A. Link and involving U.S. divers, a , and other , faced repeated failures over more than 33 hours due to the entanglement's complexity and poor visibility. The was finally freed at 4:53 p.m. EDT on June 18 using a grapnel hook deployed from the support vessel M/V A.B. Wood II, guided by a remote-controlled camera. , coroner's reports, via Certificates of Death Nos. 136 and 137, officially attributed the deaths to from poisoning, highlighting equipment failure in the system under the entrapment conditions. In the immediate aftermath, Edwin A. Link temporarily suspended Harbor Branch Foundation projects to review submersible operations and implemented safety enhancements, including external modifications to the to minimize future entanglement risks. Over the following two years, he developed the Cabled Observation and Rescue Device (CORD), an unmanned system designed to locate and free trapped submersibles, as a direct response to the incident's lessons. The tragedy deeply affected the Link family; Edwin's wife, Marion Clayton Link, confronted the press outside the recovery site, stating, "Clayton is dead, definitely... He was as much a part of that sub as the rivets," reflecting her profound grief over the loss of their younger son. Their surviving son, William Martin Link, endured the emotional toll alongside his parents, though the family later resumed collaborative oceanographic efforts.

Later Years and Legacy

Death

In the late 1970s, Edwin A. Link was diagnosed with cancer and returned to , for treatment. He underwent care there while remaining active in his interests, receiving an honorary Doctor of Science degree from on May 31, 1981. Despite his illness, Link continued tinkering and writing until shortly before his death, including plans to attend a show that summer and, just two weeks prior, beginning a redesign of his wheelchair to better suit his needs. Link died in his sleep on September 7, 1981—Labor Day—at the age of 77, at his home in Binghamton, Broome County, New York, after a long battle with cancer. His funeral services were private and held for the family only. To allow the community to pay respects, two public memorial services took place at Sears-Harkness Hall in Binghamton: one on Saturday for Link Aviation employees and another on Sunday for family and friends, featuring remarks by a clergyman, comments from a close associate, and a theater organ recital. He was buried at Vestal Hills Memorial Park in Vestal, Broome County, New York. Following his death, Link's estate supported his family, including his wife Marion Clayton Link, who survived him until 2003. The Link Foundation, which he had established with Marion in 1953 to fund research in aeronautics and oceanography, continued its operations uninterrupted, ultimately awarding over $14 million in grants (as of 2023). Posthumous additions to his personal papers, spanning his career through 1981, were incorporated into collections donated to Binghamton University Libraries in the years following, preserving his legacy in aviation and undersea exploration.

Awards and Honors

In recognition of his pioneering invention of the Link Trainer flight simulator, which revolutionized aviator training by providing realistic instrument flight practice, Edwin A. Link received the Howard N. Potts Medal from the in 1945. This prestigious engineering highlighted Link's contributions to safety and efficiency in education during the early years of . Two years later, in 1947, Link was honored with the Wakefield Gold Medal from Aeronautical for his innovative work on synthetic devices that enhanced aerial and reduced accident rates. The medal, awarded annually for advancements promoting safety in flying, underscored the global impact of Link's "" simulator on military and civilian pilot preparation. Link's lifetime achievements in aviation simulation were further celebrated by his induction into the in 1976, where he was recognized for developing the first practical airplane simulator in 1929 and training over 500,000 Allied airmen during . In 1966, conferred an honorary Doctor of Science degree on Link for his instrumental role in advancing aeronautical engineering and education. This accolade reflected his ongoing influence on , including a major philanthropic that funded the of Link Hall on campus in 1970 at a cost of $6 million. Link received another honorary Doctor of Science degree from (then SUNY Binghamton) on May 31, 1981, honoring him as the city's foremost native son and innovator in and . In the early 1980s, specifically around September 1981, the was renamed Edwin A. Link Field-Broome County Airport to commemorate his foundational contributions to the local industry, including establishing a major production facility that employed thousands during . This naming served as a lasting tribute to his entrepreneurial legacy in the Binghamton region. In 2018, Link was posthumously inducted into the Florida Inventors Hall of Fame for his contributions to aviation and ocean engineering. In 2020, he was inducted into the Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame, recognizing his early life connections and pioneering inventions.

Enduring Impact

Link Aviation, founded by Edwin Link in the 1930s, evolved through mergers and acquisitions into L3Harris Link Simulation & Training by the 2010s, a division that developed advanced flight simulators for military and aerospace applications worldwide. By the early 2020s, this entity powered modern simulation systems used in pilot training for the U.S. military and NASA missions, incorporating high-fidelity visuals and motion platforms that trace their conceptual roots to Link's original designs. These simulators have integrated with virtual reality (VR) technologies, enabling immersive training environments that enhance pilot proficiency in instrument flying and emergency scenarios without real aircraft risks. The Link Foundation, established by Link in 1953, remains active as of 2025, awarding annual fellowships totaling over $1 million across programs in and , , and . The program provides renewable $35,000 fellowships to students advancing modeling and technologies, while the initiative funds six $35,000 awards annually for research in subsea and exploration. The program supports two-year $45,000 fellowships focused on sustainable technologies like renewable sources, fostering innovations that build on Link's interdisciplinary legacy. Following Link's death in 1981, he received a memorial tribute from the National Academy of Engineering that year, recognizing his contributions to aviation and ocean engineering. In 1992, he was posthumously inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum for pioneering flight simulation. Link's induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame in 2003 highlighted his invention of the first practical flight simulator, which revolutionized pilot training globally. Link's submersible designs, particularly the Johnson-Sea-Link, influenced the development of modern deep-sea by introducing lockout compartments for extended operations, a concept adopted in contemporary vehicles like those from used in wreck expeditions. These advancements enable robotic arms and pressure-resistant hulls for high-depth archaeology and research, as seen in remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) deployed during surveys since the . Link held 33 patents across , , and , many of which continue to be cited in scholarly literature for their foundational role in simulator mechanics and systems. For instance, his early patents on electromechanical flight trainers are referenced in texts on VR-based and human-machine interfaces, underscoring their enduring relevance in and underwater technology development.

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