The Pilot Who Made History

Charles Lindbergh flew the Spirit of St. Louis, a custom-crafted plane based on the Ryan M-2, in a historic non-stop flight from Long Island, New York to Paris, France.  Lindbergh was the first person ever to travel from New York to Paris in just one day: an amazing feat that earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor, the highest decoration awarded in the military.

Lindbergh’s feat was inspired by a contest created by Raymond Orteig, a French hotel owner in New York City. Orteig offered $25,000 to the first aviator to fly non-stop from New York to Paris. Several aviators died in their attempts to win the contest: it was Lindbergh’s innovative plane design that led to his success. Upon his arrival in Paris, the World Air Sports Federation headquartered there certified his feat as a world record, and the previously unknown airmail carrier achieved international stardom overnight.

After his historic flight, Lindbergh befriended Harry Guggenheim, a multi-millionaire. Guggenheim funded a three-month nationwide tour for Lindbergh, who flew the Spirit of St. Louis to ninety-two U.S. cities where he gave speeches and appeared in extravagant parades. Lindbergh’s tour made the air mail system explode overnight and convinced the public that commercial airline travel would be possible. His friendship with Guggenheim also led to important developments in missiles, satellites, and space travel: his sensational flight to Paris revolutionized the world.

Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee / FreeDigitalPhotos.net