5. Squier and Deeds developed the concept of a flying bomb
Edward Deeds volunteered as an Army officer with the rank of Colonel. In 1917 he was assigned as the head of the Army’s Aircraft Production Board. At the time the only viable aircraft constructors in the United States were the Curtiss Company and the Dayton Wright Company. Deeds also had a long-standing relationship with Charles Kettering. Squier was promoted to General as the United States mobilized for war in 1917, tasked with procuring aircraft for the Army. After viewing the demonstration of the Sperry torpedo, he discussed the possibility of obtaining a similar device for the Army, creating what was in essence airborne heavy artillery. Deeds recommended Kettering to supervise the project.
Kettering was recommended for reasons other than his long business relationship with Deeds. Both men were well acquainted with Orville Wright, and the Dayton Wright Company was a potential builder of the flying bomb. Squier also had worked extensively with the surviving Wright Brothers. It is also true however that Dayton Wright Company was established by Deeds, Kettering, and associates as the successor of the Wright Company established by Wilbur and Orville. Orville Wright served as a director of the new company. When Deeds accepted his commission into the army, he divested his shares in Dayton Wright, to avoid accusations of steering profitable work into his own company.