EXHIBITION PRESS KIT

LIST OF GALLERY INTERACTIVES

 

America by Air - Hands-on Interactives

Wild Bill - A full-length portrait of airmail pilot Bill Hopson in full pilot outfit is the focus for discussion about the parts of the airmail pilot uniform and why pilots needed to dress for the weather (open cockpits). Five uniform parts are featured.

Contact Flying - A hand-drawn pilot's map of a section of the early transcontinental airmail route (from the National Archives) is the focus of this activity. Users gain an understanding of early navigation by contact flying as they use the map to put a series of five aerial images of landmarks from the map in the correct order.

Travel Agent - A collection of 1930s travel literature is the focus of this activity. The user, as a traveler in the mid-1930s, must analyze the literature to decide whether he or she will take a vacation to Bermuda via ship or plane and/or a trip to California via train or plane. The activity showcases the strengths and limitations of the main forms of transportation available during the early period of commercial air travel.

Around the World in 18 Days - A large world map from 1936 is the focus of this activity, which highlights the story of New York reporter H.R. Ekins who traveled around the world using only scheduled commercial air travel. His trip became a race when rival reporters joined the adventure. The user learns the state of commercial air travel at that time and must put five legs of Ekins' trip in the correct order.

Stewardess requirements - An early 1950s ad for stewardess training is the focus of this activity. The user explores the various requirements for stewardesses in the early days of air travel, finds out if he or she would qualify, and learns why requirements for stewardesses have changed over time.

Luggage Pile (Boeing 747 Exploration Activity) - This interactive area in the exhibition challenges visitors to think about how air travel impacts everyday life, whether or not a person actually travels by airplane. It looks at aspects of life such as: the food we eat, sports team rivalries across the country, politicians connecting to their constituents, recreational travel, destination travel, the geographic spread of nuclear families, the growth of online retails sales, and medical issues such as organ transplants and the spread of viruses. The area features a semicircle (luggage conveyor) of suitcases and boxes with doors and windows in them revealing the contents. Labels provide information and pose a question.

Computer-based Interactives

Fly The Mail - Test your skill at facing the same challenges met by airmail pilots as you attempt to deliver the mail from New York to Cleveland safely and on time. (gallery)

Air Routes Map - A graphical demonstration showing the evolution of airline routes for five major airlines in service from the 1930s to 2000. Illustrates how airmail routes formed the basis for the familiar hub-and-spoke commercial air routes we know today. (gallery and web)

Today's Jets - Explore the characteristics of 12 commercial jets actively in service today and try the planespotting activity to test your skills at identifying them. (gallery and web)

A New Generation of Leaders - Learn about the industry pioneers who led the way for major innovations in commercial air travel. (gallery and web)

Airline Ticket Price Meter - You have $300 to purchase an airline ticket. What are you willing to sacrafice to meet your budget? Legroom? Departure Date? Learn about the many factors that affect airline ticket pricing. (gallery and web)

Take a Closer Look - See if you can answer questions about the aircraft on display in the gallery by looking at them and examining specific features. This activity highlights the history of aircraft innovation and the relationship between form and function. (gallery)

Security Poll - Tell use what you think about airport security and see how your answers compare to other visitors. (gallery)

Air Traffic Control - Witness a typical day of air travel over the United States in four minutes or less. Learn how the Nation's Air Traffic Control system monitors and directs thousands of airplanes in the sky at any given time of day and keeps our skies safe. (gallery and web)

The Leading Edge - Find out about recent events and plans for the future of commercial air travel. (gallery and web)

America by Air Exhibition Press Kit