Aviation author and biographer Jim Cunningham will take the stage on Thursday, October 16, as the next presenter in the EAA Aviation Museum Speaker Series, sharing the remarkable life story of Sylvester “Steve” Wittman — an Oshkosh native, innovative aircraft designer, and one of America’s greatest air racers. Cunningham, EAA 594611, is a lifelong aviation enthusiast and retired professor emeritus from Illinois State University’s library and archives faculty. Over the years, he has combined his professional research background with his passion for aviation history, producing several acclaimed biographies of influential figures in the sport.
After retiring, Cunningham moved to Oshkosh to deepen his involvement with EAA. He now volunteers at the Vintage bookstore during AirVenture, serves as an instructor pilot at the Pilot Proficiency Center, and is active with EAA Chapter 252, where he mentors Ray Scholars and contributed to the restoration of Wittman’s “Buster” racer, now proudly displayed in the EAA Aviation Museum. Cunningham’s research into Wittman began after publishing two major works: Sonerai to Sonex, the biography of Sonex Aircraft founder John Monnett, and Bill Brennand: Air Racing and Other Aerial Adventures, chronicling the life of Wittman’s longtime friend and protégé.
Wittman’s aviation journey began in the 1920s, when he started designing and flying his own aircraft. His name became synonymous with speed and innovation in the golden era of air racing, and his legacy endures through his aircraft designs and Wittman Regional Airport, which bears his name.
During his presentation, Cunningham will trace Wittman’s life from his early days to his most celebrated achievements. “It’s hard to fit his life story into an hour, but that’s what we’re going to do,” Jim said. “He was nearly blind in one eye and had only a high school education, yet he designed and built some of the best race planes ever created—without any formal engineering training.” Cunningham describes Wittman as a model of ingenuity and discipline. “He’s an example of what someone can accomplish with determination and intelligence,” he added. “He wasn’t a daredevil — he calculated, researched, and refined his designs with remarkable precision.” Wittman’s story, Cunningham believes, captures the essence of what EAA stands for. “He was embodying the EAA spirit long before EAA existed,” he said. The presentation is free for EAA members and youth, and $5 for nonmembers. Those unable to attend in person can view the recording later, available exclusively to EAA members.
