title: Lytle S. Adams, DDS (1883-1970): Nonstop Airmail Pick-up inventor.
abstract: Between 1923 and 1940, a restless, optimistic, self-styled, inventor, Lytle S. Adams, DDS (1883-1970) was tirelessly working to develop a nonstop, airmail delivery and pick-up system. He believed that his invention would enable air postal services to serve those smaller, more isolated communities that would otherwise be bypassed due to economic and operational reasons. For 17 years, Adams vigorously promoted his pick-up system in both public and private arenas, and he even obtained congressional support for his ideas. However, he was unable to arrange for long-term, hardheaded financial and engineering support. Consequently, the once promising Adams Nonstop Airmail Pick-up System had only temporary and limited success. His endeavor, like others which came before and after, initially appeared to be a sound idea in search of inspired realization.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, Indiana University Nicotine Dependence Program, Indiana University Schools of Dentistry and Medicine, USA.
authors.forename: Arden G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: Joan A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Christen
mesh_terms: D001359:Aviation / Q000266:history*; D003815:Dentists / Q000266:history*; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D011177:Postal Service / Q000266:history*; D014481:United States