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1765 |
Birth of James Smithson, an Englishman whose fortune
founded the Smithsonian Institution. |
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1829 |
James Smithson dies leaving his fortune to a nephew,
Henry James Hungerford. Under the terms of the will, if Hungerford
dies without an heir, the estate goes to the "United States of America,
to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution,
an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge among
men." |
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1835 |
Hungerford dies without an heir; the United States
inherits the estate. |
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1846 |
Congress establishes the Smithsonian Institution
and authorizes construction of the first building. |
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1857 |
The Smithsonian begins using balloons to collect
weather data; the Washington Evening Star starts publishing daily
Smithsonian weather reports. |
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1860 |
The Smithsonian conducts cooperative studies with
Thaddeas S.C. Lowe, a pioneer in ballooning. In 1861 Joseph Henry,
first Secretary of the Smithsonian, successfully encourages President
Lincoln to support Lowe's idea of using balloons for military observations
during the Civil War. |
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1876 |
The Smithsonian's aeronautical collection begins
at the time of the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition when a group
of kites is acquired from the Chinese Imperial Commission. |
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1887 |
Samuel Pierpont Langley becomes the third secretary
of the Institution. For 16 years Langley is engaged in active research
in aerodynamics. He develops a series of unmanned, steam-driven Aerodrome
models, pioneering the Smithsonian's study of heavier-than-air craft. |
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1890 |
The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory is established. |
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1896 |
Langley's Aerodrome No. 5 is launched from a houseboat
over the Potomac on May 6. The Aerodrome becomes the first powered,
unmanned heavier-than-air craft to fly, staying aloft for 1 1/2 minutes,
covering more than half a mile. The flight is repeated later the same
day. |
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1899 |
Wilbur Wright of Dayton, Ohio, writes to the Smithsonian
affirming his belief that human powered flight is possible and asking
for research materials on the subject. (May 30) |
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1903 |
On Dec. 17, the 1903 Wright Flyer (now on display
in the National Air and Space Museum) makes the first powered, manned,
controlled flight of a heavier-than-air craft near Kitty Hawk, N.C. |
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1912-1915 |
Charles D. Walcott, the fourth secretary of the
Smithsonian, and Smithsonian regents Alexander Graham Bell and Ernest
W. Roberts are among those who petition Congress for an aeronautical
research and policy center. In 1915 their efforts result in the creation
of NASA's forerunner, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. |
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1916-1945 |
For 29 years the Smithsonian is associated with
Robert H. Goddard, the father of the liquid-fuel rocket. The Smithsonian
provides funding for his early research and publishes his major articles. |
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1946 |
Public Law 722, signed by President Harry S. Truman,
establishes the National Air Museum as a bureau of the Smithsonian
Institution. (Aug. 12) |
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1948 |
The 1903 Wright Flyer is added to the National
Air Museum collection. The aircraft goes on display in the Smithsonian's
Arts & Industries Building. (Dec. 17) |
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1952 |
The National Park and Planning Commission turns
over to the Smithsonian 21 acres of woodlands in Suitland, Md., to
serve as a storage site for the National Air Museum collection, which
has grown much larger following World War II. The site will eventually
become the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility. |
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1958 |
Congress authorizes construction of a new Air
Museum building but the plans do not move forward. |
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1966 |
Public Law 89-509, signed by President Lyndon
B. Johnson, amends the original Air Museum legislation to include
the field of spaceflight, creating the National Air and Space Museum
and authorizing construction of a museum building. (July 19) |
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1971 |
Gemini X and Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins
is appointed director of the National Air and Space Museum. (April) |
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1972 |
Congress appropriates $40 million in construction
funds for the new National Air and Space Museum building on the National
Mall in Washington. |
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1976 |
The National Air and Space Museum opens to the
public as part of the national bicentennial celebrations. President
Gerald R. Ford presides at the dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting.
The museum's first large-format feature film, "To Fly,"
begins its public run in the theater. (July 1)
Museum building welcomes millionth visitor. (July 25)
A lunar crater is named for James Smithson, founder of the Smithsonian
Institution, at the 16th General Assembly of the International Astronomical
Union. The crater is located in the upper right quadrant of the moon's
visible disc, at 2.5 degrees north and 53.5 degrees east. Crater Smithson
joins two craters named for former Smithsonian secretaries, crater
Abbot and crater Carmichael. (August) |
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1977 |
The museum's preservation, restoration and storage facility in Suitland, Md., opens to the public for tours. (January)
The Charles A. Lindbergh Chair of Aerospace History is established at the National Air and Space Museum on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Lindbergh's trans-Atlantic flight. (May) |
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1978 |
The Gossamer Condor, the mylar-covered winged aircraft which won the $95,000 Kremer Prize in 1977 for the first successful human-powered flight, is accepted into the National Air and Space Museum collection and placed on display. (January)
The new General Aviation Gallery opens. The gallery includes a training simulator, a Learjet 23 and the Cessna 180 in which Jerrie Mock became the first woman to fly around the world. The museum's original General Aviation Gallery was open from July 1, 1976, until the fall of 1977, when construction began on the new Gallery. (April)
"Exploring the Planets," an exhibition gallery devoted to human and robotic exploration of the planets in the solar system, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (November) |
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1979 |
Noel W. Hinners, noted scientist and space administrator, is appointed director of the National Air and Space Museum. (April)
"Living Planet," the National Air and Space Museum's second large-format feature film, premieres. (April) |
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1980 |
A Viking Lander spacecraft (proof test article), identical to the two that landed on the surface of Mars in 1976, is placed on display in the National Air and Space Museum's Milestones of Flight Hall. (February)
"Early Flight," an exhibition gallery that re-creates a 1913 aeronautical exhibition, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (March)
The Silver Hill complex is renamed the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility. Mr. Garber, Historian Emeritus and Ramsey Fellow of the National Air and Space Museum, joined the Smithsonian in 1920 and was responsible for acquiring a large portion of the Smithsonian's aeronautical collection. (June)
The largest existing piece of the fabric that covered the original 1903 Wright Flyer is donated to the National Air and Space Museum by Ivonette Miller, a niece of the Wright brothers. (December) |
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1981 |
The National Air and Space Museum Theater is renamed the Samuel Pierpont Langley Theater, in honor of the third secretary of the Smithsonian Institution. (May)
"Jet Aviation," a major exhibition gallery that examines the first 40 years of the jet age, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (July) |
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1982 |
"Flyers" the third large-format film produced by the National Air and Space Museum, premieres. (August)
"Black Wings: The American Black in Aviation," an exhibit depicting the contributions and achievements of African Americans in aviation, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (September) |
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1983 |
Retired U.S. Air Force Col. Walter J. Boyne is appointed director of the National Air and Space Museum by Smithsonian Secretary S. Dillon Ripley. (February)
NASA transfers to the museum ownership of Viking Lander 1, which investigated the possibility of extraterrestrial life on Mars and remains on the Red Planet. (May)
"Stars," a major exhibition gallery focusing on astronomy, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (June)
The Planetary Image Facility, an extensive collection of lunar and planetary photographs and data, opens to researchers. The facility is located in the museum's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies. (December)
An original wooden propeller from the 1903 Wright Flyer is donated by Wilkinson Wright, a grand-nephew of the Wright brothers, to the National Air and Space Museum. (December) |
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1984 |
"Golden Age of Flight," a major exhibition gallery devoted to aviation between the world wars opens. (April) |
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1985 |
The National Air and Space Museum begins restoration of the 1903 Wright Flyer. The restoration takes place in full public view, behind plexiglass walls in a first-floor gallery. (February-June)
"The Dream Is Alive," the fourth large-format film of the National Air and Space Museum, premieres. (June)
The nation's first space shuttle orbiter, Enterprise, is flown atop a 747 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center to Washington Dulles International Airport for transfer to the museum collection. (Nov. 18) |
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1986 |
Air & Space/Smithsonian, a bi-monthly magazine published by the Smithsonian, debuts. (March)
"Looking at Earth," a major gallery exploring the history of aerial and orbital views of the Earth, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (May)
The National Air and Space Museum's fifth large-format film, "On the Wing," premieres. (June) |
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1987 |
Dr. Martin O. Harwit is appointed director of the National Air and Space Museum by Smithsonian Secretary Robert McC. Adams. (August)
Voyager, the first aircraft to fly around the world without landing or refueling, is accepted into the National Air and Space Museum collection and placed on exhibit in the south lobby of the National Mall building. (November) |
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1988 |
The National Air and Space Museum opens its Education Resource Center to teachers of all levels and disciplines. (January)
The glass-enclosed "Flight Line" cafeteria and "The Wright Place" restaurant open on the east end of the National Air and Space Museum. (September) |
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1989 |
In an effort to expand its role as a center for research and science education, the National Air and Space Museum creates the Laboratory for Astrophysics. (February)
The National Air and Space Museum signs an agreement with Air France providing the museum with a Concorde aircraft, after the supersonic commercial transport has been retired from active service. (April)
"Beyond the Limits: Flight Enters the Computer Age," a major gallery examining the applications of the computer in aerospace, opens. (May)
The National Air and Space Museum marks the 20th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing with a public ceremony co-sponsored by NASA. Participants include the three Apollo 11 astronauts as well as President George H.W. Bush. (July) |
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1990 |
Smithsonian Secretary Robert McC. Adams announces that the Smithsonian's Board of Regents has reaffirmed its preference for Washington Dulles International Airport as the site for the proposed extension of the National Air and Space Museum. (January)
The world's fastest jet, an SR-71 Blackbird, is added to the collection of the National Air and Space Museum. On its final flight, the museum's Blackbird flies from the West Coast to Washington Dulles International Airport in 64 minutes 20 seconds. (March 6)
"'Trust But Verify'/'Do Veri, No Pro Veri,'" an exhibition
about the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, opens in the National
Air and Space Museum's "Space Hall." Simultaneously, a U.S. Pershing
II missile and a Soviet SS-20 missile go on display in the Milestones
of Flight gallery. (June)
"Blue Planet," the museum's sixth large-format feature film, premieres. (November) |
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1991 |
"Legend, Memory and the Great War in the Air," an exhibition gallery examining the legend and reality of aviation in World War I, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (November) |
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1992 |
"Star Trek," an exhibition examining the unique history and influence of a popular culture icon opens at the National Air and Space Museum. In eleven months, the temporary exhibition draws more than 880,000 visitors. (February)
The National Air and Space Museum, NASA and the Planetary Society host a "Rover Expo" on the grounds adjacent to the National Air and Space Museum. The two day event marks the largest gathering of interplanetary rovers ever. (September)
Paul Edward Garber, Historian Emeritus and Ramsey Fellow of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, dies. Garber was a driving force in expanding the Smithsonian's aeronautical collection during his 72-year association with the Institution. He was 93. (Sept. 23)
"Where Next, Columbus?" an exhibition gallery that examines the prospects for exploration and discovery in the next 500 years, opens at the National Air and Space Museum. (December) |
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1993 |
Awards and decorations, uniforms, photos, films and other items from the personal collection of Gen. Curtis E. LeMay are donated to the National Air and Space Museum. (May)
U.S. National Aerobatic Champion Patty Wagstaff presents her EXTRA 260 championship airplane to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. In 1991, Wagstaff became the first woman to win the U.S. National Aerobatic title since the men's and women's categories were combined in 1972. In 1992, Wagstaff successfully defended her title in the same aircraft. (June)
President Bill Clinton signs Public Law 103-57, establishing an extension for the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum near Washington Dulles International Airport. |
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1994 |
"Patty Wagstaff-National Aerobatic Champion," an exhibit including Wagstaff's EXTRA 260, flight suit and winning routine, opens for a temporary, one-year display in the museum's "Barron Hilton Pioneers of Flight" gallery. (March)
"Destiny In Space," the museum's seventh large-format feature film and the third film in the Imax space-film trilogy, premieres. (June) |
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1995 |
The National Air and Space Museum acquires the formerly top-secret "Keyhole" camera from the Corona spacecraft, the world's first spy satellite. Other notable 1995 acquisitions include an Ilyushin Il-2M3 Shturmovik and a flight data recorder, commonly referred to as a "black box." (May)
The National Air and Space Society, a membership organization developed to support the museum's education and collections care efforts, as well as the planning and construction of the museum facility in Virginia, is established. (June)
"Enola Gay" opens at the National Air and Space Museum. The much-anticipated exhibition, which features the forward fuselage of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress that dropped the first atomic bomb on Japan, draws nearly half a million visitors in its first six months. (June) |
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1996 |
Museum welcomes the 175 millionth visitor to the Mall building. (March 14)
Retired U.S. Navy Vice Adm. Donald D. Engen is appointed director of the museum. (June 1)
The museum celebrates its 20th anniversary with a weekend of events including talks by astronaut Buzz Aldrin and Vicki Van Meter, the youngest female pilot to fly across the United States. (July 1)
"Cosmic Voyage," a large-format film offering a spectacular tour of the known dimensions of the universe, premieres at the Langley Theater. (Aug. 9)
"How Things Fly," the museum's first fully interactive gallery to explain the principles of flight through hands-on activities, opens. Containing more than 50 interactives, including a Cessna 150 with visitor-operated controls and a supersonic wind tunnel, the gallery also is home to the "Explainers," a diverse group of high school and college students who give daily science demonstrations and answer visitors' questions. (Sept. 20)
President Bill Clinton signs Public Law 104-222, which authorizes the museum to construct, using only private funds, the new museum companion facility in Virginia on property leased from Washington Dulles International Airport. (Oct. 1) |
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1997 |
"Space Race," an exhibition that centers on the Cold War contest between the United States and the former Soviet Union, opens. The exhibition uses space race artifacts to compare and contrast the American and Russian space efforts and to highlight a half-century of international competition and cooperation in space. (May 16)
Premiering in the Langley Theater, "Mission to Mir," which was filmed in space, takes the audience through Russia's space station, captures a docking by space shuttle Atlantis and features the first three Americans to spend time on Mir-Norm Thagard, John Blaha and Shannon Lucid. (May 21)
"Star Wars: The Magic of Myth," a temporary exhibition, opens, showcasing the original artwork, costumes, characters, props and models from the successful "Star Wars" film trilogy. (Oct. 31) |
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1998 |
Museum marks 200 millionth visitor (Jan. 24)
The museum's "Enola Gay" exhibition closes to the public to prepare for a major building renovation project. During the nearly three years that parts of the B-29 Superfortress were on display, nearly 4 million individuals visited the exhibit. (May 17 )
The first phase of a multi-million dollar renovation begins at Mall building. The project includes the replacement of all skylights and windows, and the upgrading of lighting and the public address system. (May 17)
"Business Wings," a temporary exhibition exploring the role of aircraft in the business community, opens. (June 12)
"Earth Today: A Digital View of Our Dynamic Planet" opens in the museum's Rocketry and Spaceflight gallery. "Earth Today" allows visitors to view information about our planet's atmosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere and biosphere as data from satellites and global monitoring systems is projected in near-time on a video screen. (July 2)
Vice Admiral Donald D. Engen, director of the museum, is killed in glider crash. (July 13) |
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1999 |
Vice President Al Gore, vice chancellor of the Smithsonian's Board of Regents, awards the Langley Medal to Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins to mark the approaching 30th anniversary of the first lunar landing mission. (July 2)
The gondola of the Breitling Orbiter 3 balloon-the first balloon to achieve nonstop around-the-world flight-is displayed in the museum's Milestones of Flight gallery (Sept. 23).
The museum receives a pledge of $65 million from Steven F. Udvar-Hazy, CEO and founder of the International Lease Finance Corporation, to help fund construction of the new facility in Virginia. The gift is the largest ever made to the National Air and Space Museum. (Oct. 7) |
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2000 |
Retired U.S. Marine Corps Gen. John R. Dailey, associate administrator of NASA, is named director of the museum. (Jan. 1)
The Smithsonian Institution breaks ground on an expansion of the National Air and Space Museum. The Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, to be located in Chantilly, Va., will showcase approximately 200 aircraft and 100 major space artifacts. (Oct. 25). |
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2001 |
The museum announces that the contract to build the first phase of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center has been awarded to the Hensel Phelps Construction Company. (April 10).
Artifacts that have been protectively shrouded since the renovation of the museum's windows, skylights and electrical system began, are uncovered and galleries reopened. (May 30).
Construction of the Udvar-Hazy Center aviation hangar begins with foundation work. (June)
The museum welcomes the public to a gala birthday party in celebration of its first 25 years on the Mall. The year-long public celebration will continue through June 2002, with special celebrations, signature lectures, film series, planetarium shows, commemorative programs, family activities and publications. (July1)
"Explore the Universe," a permanent exhibition on the evolution of astronomers' instruments, opens (Sept. 21). |
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2002 |
John Glenn delivers annual Wernher von Braun Memorial Lecture on 40th anniversary of his becoming the first American to orbit the Earth. (Feb. 20)
The museum introduces the Jaylee and Gilbert Mead Exploring Space Lecture Series, inspired by the new permanent exhibition "Explore the Universe." (March 13)
The museum's Samuel P. Langley Theater is renamed the Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater. (March)
The Albert Einstein Planetarium debuts new digital technology with the new feature "Infinity Express: A 20-Minute Tour of the Universe." (April)
The three-dimensional Imax feature "Space Station" premieres in the museum's Lockheed Martin IMAX Theater with film narrator Tom Cruise, astronauts and cosmonauts in attendance. (April 17)
The museum marks the 75th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh's solo transatlantic flight with new book, "Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis" and annual Charles A. Lindbergh Memorial Lecture is delivered by daughter Reeve Lindbergh. (May 23)
"The Wright Place," the museum's refurbished restaurant on the National Mall, reopens, operated by the McDonald's Corporation. (May 24)
Adventurer Steve Fossett presents to the museum the gondola he flew in the first solo around-the-world balloon flight. (Sept. 5)
"Straight Up! Helicopters in Action," the ninth large-format film produced by the museum, premieres in the Lockheed Martin Theater. (Sept. 18)
The museum hosts the Centennial of Flight kick-off with master of ceremonies John Travolta and announces its exhibition "The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age" will open to the public in October 2003. (Dec. 17) |
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2003 |
The Piper J-3 Cub, delivered from the museum's storage facility in Suitland, Md., becomes the first artifact delivered to the Udvar-Hazy Center. (March 17)
Public tours ended at the Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration and Storage Facility. (March 31)
Air France Concorde F-BVFA arrives at Washington Dulles International Airport from Paris for display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center. (July 12)
The Boeing S-307 Stratoliner arrives at Dulles for display at the Udvar-Hazy Center. (Aug. 6)
The Boeing 367-80 arrives at Dulles for display at the Udvar-Hazy Center. (Aug. 27) The XV-15 tilt rotor lands on Udvar-Hazy Center property for display. (Sept. 16)
"The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age" exhibition, marking the centennial of powered flight, opens with the 1903 Wright Flyer displayed at eye level for the first time since being acquired by the Smithsonian. (Oct. 11)
The museum prepares for the opening of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center with a media preview. (Dec. 5)
The Udvar-Hazy Center hosts a "Salute to Aviation Veterans." (Dec. 9)
The Udvar-Hazy Center hosts an evening opening celebration gala. (Dec. 10)
Dedication of the Udvar-Hazy Center is attended by Vice President Richard B. Cheney, Smithsonian Board of Regents chancellor and Chief Justice William Rehnquist and actor John Travolta. (Dec. 11)
The Udvar-Hazy Center opens to the public and attracts 219,525 visitors through the end of the year. (Dec. 15)
The museum marks the centennial of powered flight with special curator tours of "The Wright Brothers & The Invention of the Aerial Age," book-signings and video from ceremonies at Kitty Hawk, N.C. (Dec. 17) |
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2004 |
Visitor count at museum's Udvar-Hazy Center passes
half million mark. (Feb. 29)
The Udvar-Hazy Center welcomes it's one millionth visitor. (June 9)
"Generous Friends: Building an Art Collection for the National Air and Space Museum" exhibition opens in the Mall building's reopened gallery "Flight and the Arts." (Oct. 8)
James S. McDonnell Space Hangar outfitted and fully accessible to the public. (Nov. 1)
Museum marks first anniversary of Udvar-Hazy Center with special celebration for visitors to the facility. (Dec. 11) |
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2005 |
First "Become a Pilot" Day held at Udvar-Hazy Center, featuring several visiting aircraft flown in for the occasion and parked outside on the center's north apron where visitors can see them up close. (June 11)
New Imax film "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D," produced, written and narrated by Tom Hanks, premieres at Mall building's Lockheed Martin Theater. Hanks and former astronauts greet media on red carpet in Milestones of Flight gallery. (Sept. 21)
SpaceShipOne donated to the museum by sole funder Paul G. Allen; displayed in Milestones of Flight gallery between Spirit of St. Louis and Bell X-1. (Oct. 5) |
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2006 |
New Imax film "Roving Mars" premieres at Mall building's Lockheed Martin Theater. (Jan. 26)
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