The AEA came into being when J. D. Mcurdy and his friend Frederick Baldwin, two young engineers fresh out of the University of Toronto, decided to spend the summer in Baddeck, Nova Scotia. McCurdy had grown up there, and his father was the personal secretary of Dr. Bell. He grew up close to the Bell family and was well received in their home. One day, as the three sat with Dr. Bell discussing the problems of aviation, Bell's wife, Mabel, suggested they form a company to exploit their collective ideas. Being independently wealthy, she offered to bankroll the idea, taking care of one of the major problems facing aviators of the day. The American motorcycle designer and manufacturer, and recognized expert on gasoline engines Glenn H. Curtiss became a member of the association. Glenn Curtiss had visited the Wright Cycle Company to discuss aeronautical engineering with Wilbur and Orville Wright. They did not want to cooperate with him in the development of aircraft so Curtiss joined with Alexander Graham Bell and others in the Aerial Experiment Association. The group attracted sufficient attention to inspire the United States government to request that an official observer be allowed to join. Their nominee was Lieutenant Thomas Selfridge.