CV-1 began as the Proteus-class collier USS Jupiter. Conversion started in 1920, and she commissioned as USS Langley on 20 March 1922, shortly after the Washington Naval Treaty. She was named for Samuel Pierpont Langley, an astronomer, physicist, aeronautics pioneer, and aircraft engineer who also sold time services to the Pennsylvania Railroad and other customers. His relationship with the navy was complicated because he opposed the Naval Observatory's dominance of national timekeeping. Langley's popularity with members of Congress nevertheless helped attach his name to the navy's first carrier. The choice shows how ship naming can reflect civilian politics and scientific reputation rather than direct naval service alone.
Notable Point · 1:05:26-1:07:52
USS Langley's namesake tied aviation to railway timekeeping
The first US carrier's name connects aeronautical pioneer Samuel Pierpont Langley with railway time services, disputes over national timekeeping, and congressional influence on naval symbolism.