Acknowledgments

       First and foremost appreciation is owed to Martin Gardner, author, and renowned former puzzles editor of Scientific American. I read Mr. Gardner's essay on Lawson entitled "Zig Zag and Swirl," from his book Fads and Fallacies when I was a pre-teen.

       Aside from inspiration, Lyell D. Henry, Jr. is due a lion's share of the thanks. Lyell was investigating Lawson's life prior my interest. He was a constant source of information. Lyell's book, Zig-Zag-and-Swirl: Alfred W. Lawson's Quest for Greatness (University of Iowa Press, 1991) is an invaluable source.

       Priority demands mention of the late Carl Schory. I had access to transcripts of oral interviews conducted with Carl by Harvey Lippincott, Corporate Historian and Archivist, United Technologies Corporation. Additionally, shortly before his death, my written questions were read to the ailing Schory by his lifelong friend, Fred Weick [an aviation pioneer in his own right]. Mr. Weick recorded Carl's responses and sent them to me.

       At one point, Lawson's very real accomplishments in aviation were in danger of fading into the mists; only through the research and perseverance of the late George Hardie, Jr. has Lawson gained some degree of long overdue recognition. On several occasions Mr. Hardie provided answers to questions about Lawson's aeronautic exploits that had eluded me.

       Regular email correspondents Jim Newman, Allan Janus, Lyell D. Henry Jr., and Nick Wantiez have, over the past six or seven years, offered insight, new information, and a welcome appreciation of Lawsoniana.