He not only designed it and mostly built it, he also powered it and flew it. Notably multi-talented, and recognized by the Smithsonian and Rhode Island Aviation Hall of Fame as the first American to fly powered by himself, his only lapse was naming the craft "Olympian" with it's pagan connotaion. As a result, the Breath of God destroyed the craft in the hangar. "Render unto Sears"

Norm Clegg Take your religious stuff to an appropriate venue. We worship airplanes here.

This is my great Uncle Joe and I remember this historic event well. I remember his thumbnail drawings when I was a child. Follow your dreams and with God ....all things are possible. Except Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and savior today... Romans 10, 9 and 10.

Additional info.: Lt.Col.Zinno, USAF (Ret.) called his contraption the ZB-1 "Olympian."

Tis pedalpowered "aircraft" was designed and built by Lt.Col. Zinno, USAF (Ret.) On his fourth try on April 21, 1976, at Quonset Point, RI., Joe Zinno barely got off the ground for a few seconds. The machine was damaged in a hangar by a gust of wind, coming in throgh the open door.