Started working with hot air balloons during his career as an acrobat in the circus. His act included performing on a trapeze bar attached to an ascending hot air balloon.
Made nearly 3,000 balloon ascents throughout the U.S.
Considered the “Father of the Modern Parachute” as he created the parachute to be a part of his circus act. Neither he nor his brother ever patented their parachute design and construction. Baldwin later commented, “We never thought anyone else would care to try it.”
Pioneered the construction and operation of the first dirigibles in America.
In 1911, Baldwin designed his own pusher biplane, one of the first to have a framework with interplane struts of mild steel tubing and wooden frame wings. Baldwin named his invention the “Red Devil”.
Awarded a contract to design and build the first U.S. Army Signal Corps dirigible using a Curtiss engine.