Written by AMA staff (06/1992); Transcribed by JS (06/20)
William Bishop is the founder of Comet Model Airplane and Supply Company. He launched this enterprise in Chicago in 1929. At first, he kitted only his own designs but later added designs by Carl Goldberg and Ed Lidgard to his product line. In 1933, Bill published Book of Model Airplanes under the Comet label. The 87-page publication covered the spectrum of available designs and included building instructions and complete drawings of the models. Bill contracted with Sherwin Williams Paint Company to develop and produce commercially suitable glue for use with balsa wood and tissue. He perfected a device to squeeze the lead-alloy tube so that its contests could be metered out and would not explode onto the work piece. His business grew from that very simple beginning, where kits were sold on an almost door-to-door basis, to become a million dollar enterprise. He was nationally known and everyone over the age of 65 can remember the Comet dime kits.
In 1941, when the United States entered World War II, Bill went to Washington, D.C. to assist in the development of an aircraft recognition program for the armed forces. This “Schoolboy identification” program soon got underway, and thousands of models were supplied to the services.
As a competitor, designer, and entrepreneur, William Bishop helped thousands of young people discover the joys of model aviation. His advice has always been, “Plan and set goals for today and tomorrow; be satisfied with your daily life, and love and be loved.”
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