People named Byron Shinn

Byron grew up on a farm in Iowa somewhere near Des Moines. He had a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the Univ. of Iowa. He was fascinated by how things work and how to make them better. He worked as a bus mechanic after his university graduation. Later he became the chief mechanic. Finally he was able to save enough money and find investors to start Shinn Devices Company. He produced wood lathes of his own design. He also produced aircraft wheels, brakes and seats. There are Shinn Devices Company wheels on a Hiller Helicopter on display at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum. Fuel cells of his design were on the Apollo that went to the moon. Sometime between high school and college graduation Byron and a friend drove through many states in the West and Midwest on a motorcycle with sidecar on a long camping trip. While marketing his aircraft parts Byron met many aviation notables: “Old Man Piper” founder of Piper Aircraft, Clyde Cessna founder of Cessna, Bob Taylor of Taylorcraft and Charles Lindbergh. Byron graduated from US Army ROTC and received a Reserve Commission as a Second Lieutenant. He chose to remain in the Ready Reserve. I was told by his brother in law, Adolph Toepfer, that Byron wanted to be a pilot, but due to poor distance vision and extreme susceptibility to motion sickness Byron knew he could not. His hobbies included painting landscapes, power boating, doing his own auto maintenance, restoring a Studebaker, home repairs and travel. He also enjoyed his Playboy Magazine collection. Byron told his children that he wanted to be called Byron by his grandchildren. His children and their families: Dr. Byron John Shinn PhD Electrical Engineering Yale and wife Judith Stephen b.1960 Douglas Barbara Dr. Geoffrey Norland Shinn PhD Mechanical Engineering Yale and wife Joyce Herrick “Rick” Norland Dana Michael Dr. Joseph Edward Shinn DDS Temple and wife Kathryn Lois Mark Edward David Alan b. 22Sep61 - Gregory Jay Shinn 31Aug1962 - 12Jan1963 Wendy Jo Virginia Ruth Shinn married Herald Lee Jr. Glenn b.April 1960 James Lawrence b. April approximate year 1963

He was always known by his middle name John.

Byron M Shinn of Lombard, Du Page County, IL was born on September 20, 1902, and died at age 95 years old on June 22, 1998.

Byron Shinn was born on December 16, 1927, and died at age 53 years old in July 1981. Family, friend, or fan, this family history biography is for you to remember Byron Shinn.

Byron D Shinn of Leon, Mason County, WV was born on August 20, 1926, and died at age 81 years old on October 28, 2007.