Is it a boat? Or an airplane? Perhaps both. Where would we be without those among us who put forth an improvement of an existing item or imagine something completely new? The creator of this vessel, Thomas Alva Edison Lake, was born into a family of inventors, and, having been named after the famous American inventor, his destiny seemed pre-set.
The year is 1932. Thomas Lake receives a patent for this experimental craft and on this day, he is about to test it in Milford, Connecticut. His patent application describes “a type of boat capable of skimming over the surface of the water at high speed and be able to make small radius turns at high speed without ‘skidding’ and maintain its stability at all times.” [1]
A clever combination of plane and watercraft, the boat is supported by a hydroplane float on each side, similar to the wings on an airplane. A third float sits at the rear of the craft and acts as a rudder. This three-point contact with the water allows for improved stability and maneuverability. The cushioning effect of the pontoons eliminates all shock, vibration or pounding due to rough water or when cutting across another boat’s wake.
Positioned in front of the driver’s seat is an Elto outboard motor “to exert a lifting as well as a forward propelling force. By tilting or ‘banking’ the forward set of pontoon-hydroplanes and steering with the rear one, turns can be made at high speed without ‘skidding’ or side-slipping.” [1] Extending through the bottom of the central body, the Elto’s propeller becomes the actual turning point of the whole craft, causing the rear of the craft to swing around the forward end. [2]
The photographs in this blog are part of the Robert G. Skerrett Collection. Skerrett was an engineer and prolific author of scientific papers and articles, including many for the Department of the Navy. The collection reveals his curiosity for a variety of subjects, including advancements in diving, salvage operations, and aeronautics. His personal photographs and sketches often illustrated his articles.
Skerrett was already acquainted with Thomas Edison Lake from articles he had previously written about Thomas’s father, Simon Lake, who is often credited as the inventor of the modern submarine. In 1932 Thomas Lake invited Skerrett to visit him in Connecticut and see his new invention, the pontoon-hydroplane boat. Correspondence between the two men indicates that Skerrett did pay Lake a visit and was impressed with the design, so much so that Skerrett offered to assist by publishing articles in New York newspapers. Lake was also seeking financial backing and hoped that his design would be of interest to the United States government, as well as commercial industry.
Check out this vintage newsreel footage of Thomas Lake testing out his invention.
Speed racing was becoming more and more popular in 1932. Designers Gar Wood and John Hacker were both pushing the speed record for boat racing that same year. However, their boats could not make sharp turns without skidding and capsizing. Had Lake’s craft been pitted against these boats, his would have won handily due to his vessel’s lack of wetted hull surface (creating less friction) and its ability to maintain speed in a tight turn. Lake filed several patents, including one for a “flying machine,” and another for what may have been the first automobile jack for changing a tire.
There is no record that Thomas Edison Lake’s pontoon-hydroplane boat went beyond the patent state. Such is the case with so many great ideas. Nevertheless, Lake’s concepts for increased stability and the ability to make turns at high speeds were realized in future racing boats.
Originally published in Sea History, Autumn 2023.
SOURCES
[1] Lake, Thomas A. Edison. 1932. Pontoon-Hydroplane Boat. US Patent 1,846,602, filed March 13, 1931, and issued February 23, 1932.
[2] New Haven Sunday Register, May 22, 1932.