Aviation Becomes a phenomena

When, in 1903, bicycle shop owners, Wilbur and Orville Wright made their first flight of 12 seconds and 37m in their heavier than air contraption, little did they know they were also launching a phenomena and obsession with aviation.  

Aviation was in its golden age. It was glamourous, dangerous and sensational and caught the public’s attention. Being an aviator was a way to fame and fortune.

It was at a time when the mechanics of media had the power to launch people into the public eye and give them celebrity status. But pioneering aviators had more than just celebrity status. But our early aviators had more then celebrity status. They had hero status.

In 1927, when Lindbergh landed in Paris after making the first solo transatlantic flight It is said that 150,000 spectators turned up to the airfield to greet him. 

When returned to New York City after completing the first ever solo flight across the Atlantic an estimated crowd of 4 million turned out for the ticker tape parade. It has been quoted that the crowd behaved as though he had ‘walked’ on water – rather than flown over it.

And the industry wasn’t just limited to men. Women too were falling in love with flying.

What I want to explore is the exploits of our pioneering aviatrixes. The way they inserted themselves in the industry was very different from their male counterparts. They were beautiful, fashionable and glamourous.

It was certainly the golden days of aviation. It was the ‘thing of the decade’.

Air-shows were popular with big prize money available. 

It offered thrills, excitement, fame and fortune - as well as, all too often -  an early death. Crashing and deaths in aviation were a weekly occurrence. But the numerous fatalities only added to the glamour of aviation.

World records were being set on an almost weekly basis. Almost anything done was new… just mattered what tested boundaries. Aviator’s feats and records dominated news headlines around the world.

And it wasn’t limited to men. Women too were inspired to join…. but their desire to become part of this sport was met with considerable resistance.