Zig-Zag and Swirl - The Strange world of Alfred Lawson

Alfred Lawson on the Web 

Lawsonomy.org

Lawonomy.org is the official site of what remains of the organization founded by Alfred Lawson. Several of his books are available on the site in full text.

Lawson's Progress

This site offers a mix of digital documents, reference materials, links, and original short stories about Alfred William Lawson. Although obscure in terms of standard history, since his death Lawson has gained renown as notable American eccentric. Like many eccentrics, it is all too easy to give a brief sketch of Alfred Lawson's exploits that would emphasize his posthumous reputation as a kook. But something more complex can be found in the story of Alfred William Lawson--something connected to the American national character and to a century of history that coincided with the rise of American popular culture. It is possible that Lawson was indeed more a product of that society than an aberration from it.

Alleee and Franc's Insolitology

Alfred Lawson is the stereotypical "discoverer" : he wrote over fifty books on things that even he probably didn't coherently understand. He was perhaps the only crackpot featured on this entire site that actually did something worthwhile in his life : he was a pitcher, and played three games in the National League. He was also a pioneer of aviation. But he is now most known for having been a complete crackpot, who opened a University of Lawsonomy (in Wisconsin), which no longer exists except on the Internet.

Odd Books - Born Again

A Review of Lawson's 1904 Novel "Born Again"

Early Aviator

Who's Who in American Aeronautics
SECOND EDITION, 1925

Wisconsin Aviation Hall of Fame

Lawson observed the flight of a dirigible in 1907. He later reported, "That was the spark that set me afire, and forever afterward I was unable to extinguish the aeronautical blaze that burned within me."

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alfred William Lawson (1869-1954) was a professional baseball player from 1887 through 1908 and went on to play a pioneering role in the US aircraft industry, publishing an early aviation trade journal. During this time he also wrote a novel, Born Again, clearly inspired by the popular Utopian fantasy Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy, an early harbinger of the metaphysical turn his career would take. He is frequently cited as the inventor of the airliner and claimed to have been the first to deliver air mail on a schedule. However, his several attempts at building his own airplanes all ended in crashes which discouraged investors.

Kooks Museum

Alfred W. Lawson was the Leonardo da Vinci of kooks. Not only did he discover the Cause of Sex, the Cause of Evolution and the Cause of Capillary Action, but he was also the inventor of the airliner and the two-tier passenger compartment (and many other mechanical devices), played in and managed pro baseball teams, founded the University of Lawsonomy and the Direct Credits Society and somehow found time to invent and expound on LAWSONOMY, the Knowledge of Life.

Alfred W. Lawson's Contribution to Early Commercial Aviation

"The Lawson is the first multi-motored passenger-carrying plane with inclosed cabin to attempt a cross-country flight in the United States."
-Aerial Age Weekly, September 22, 1919. (Full story below.)

View photographs of Lawson's C-2 airliner, 1919.

The Lawson Airliner Story

Following the First World War, visionaries who saw the potential for commercial air travel began designing the first generation of airliners. In the United States, the remarkable Alfred W. Lawson from Wisconsin was one such visionary.

Book: Zig-Zag and Swirl

Throughout this multifaceted and colorful biography Henry gives special attention to Lawson's development as a utopian thinker and reformer, providing a thorough treatment of the poignant saga of the controverisal and doomed community in Des Moines. Every phase of Lawson's incredible career is linked to main currents of American life and culture, resulting in an entertaining and sympathetic account that reveals how the self-styled Magic Man of Baseball, Columbus of the Air, Wizard of Reason, and First Knowledgian, for all his claimed and actual uniqueness, was nonetheless a product clearly "Made in America."

Lawson's National League Baseball Stats

Al Lawson
Alfred William Lawson

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 11", Weight 161 lb.

Debut May 13, 1890
Final Game June 2, 1890
Born March 24, 1869 in London, England
Died November 29, 1954 in San Antonio, TX

Time Magazine Article from 1943

Sep. 6, 1943

Whether it wanted it or needed it or not Des Moines last week had Lawsonomy "the base of absolute knowledge." For an unnamed sum the Humanity Benefactor Foundation bought defunct Des Moines University's 14 acres and six buildings (including dormitories for about 390 students), closed since 1929. On hand for the occasion was Lawsonomist No. 1, a 74-year-old ex-ballplayer, ex-aviation operator, crusader for valueless money, named Alfred William Lawson. Equaeverpoise. Des Moines citizens who were curious about Lawsonomy could find some books and newspapers on the subject in the city... [SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED TO READ ARTICLE]

Time Magazine Article from 1952

Mar. 24, 1952

People in Des Moines have been wondering for years about the mysterious school that took over the old Des Moines University* campus in 1943. A silvery-haired, 82-year-old gentleman named Alfred William Lawson had bought the grounds and announced a new school: the Des Moines University of Lawsonomy. From time to time, a few students of varying ages were seen through the high picket fence, but there seemed to be no faculty. Founder Lawson, a pioneer aviation man who claims that he built the first double-decker airliner and got the U.S. started on its aircraft industry, kept out of sight. As far as... [SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED TO READ ARTICLE]

Alfred Lawson's Words 

Full Lawson Texts - on the Web!

Lawsonomy Volume One: Lawsonomy

The University of Lawsonomy proudly presents the entire text here for your studying convenience. Lawsonomy, Volume One was originally copyrighted in 1922

Lawsonomy Volume Two: Mentality

Mentality, Volume Two of Lawsonomy, was originally copyrighted in 1938.

Volume Three of Lawsonomy: The Almighty

There are three volumes of Lawsonomy: Lawsonomy, Mentality, and The Almighty as written by Alfred Lawson.

Direct Credits for Everybody

Direct Credits... Lawson the Economist.

Written in 1931, at the depths of the Great Depression, this book outlines the economic situation, target and the proposal necessary to provide Justice for Everybody that Harms Nobody.

Born Again, A Novel by Alfred Lawson

A novel written by Alfred Lawson, Born Again expresses the essence of Lawsonomy.

A Two Thousand Mile Trip in the First Airliner (PDF)

PDF image of this 15 page book online.

"Relatively unknown in the annals of aviation history, Lawson might be described as an eccentric genius, one well ahead of his time. . . . [Lawson] coined the word "Aircraft" and trademarked it in 1908, but it quickly fell into generic use after generically appearing in Webster's Dictionary of 1912, where he worked as Aeronautics Editor." - K. O. Eckland.