PBS
Pbs: Who Made America?: Innovators: Elmer Sperry
A prolific inventor and businessman, Sperry engineered a gyrocompass that made piloting ships, airplanes, and even spacecraft more reliable. He formed eight different companies to produce his inventions, some still in use today.
PBS
Pbs: Who Made America? Elmer Sperry
His gyroscope-guided autopilot became known as a 'Metal Mike,' the mechanical helmsman.