H. Paul Culver flew the first regular scheduled air mail run in the world on May 15, 1918. The trip was from Philadelphia to New York and 2457 pieces of mail were carried. The trip was flown in one hour, with the aircraft attaining a speed of 75 miles per hour. Culver learned to fly at the Glenn Curtiss School in Newport News, VA., in 1916. During World War I Culver served as a flying instructor at Princeton University. He was also a member of the Early Birds.
Identifier
NASM.XXXX.0401
Creator
Culver, H. Paul, 1893-1964
Date
1918
Provenance
Mrs. H. Paul Culver, gift, ca. 1976, XXXX-0401, unknown
Extent
0.4 Cubic feet ((1 flatbox))
Restrictions
No restrictions on access
Type
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Clippings
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Maps
Invoices
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of a scrapbook compiled by H. Paul Culver containing news clippings, articles, photographs, an invoice book, an annotated route map, and other documentation relating to the initiation of airmail service.
Genre/Form
Clippings
Scrapbooks
Photographs
Maps
Invoices
Rights
Material is subject to Smithsonian Terms of Use. Should you wish to use NASM material in any medium, please submit an Application for Permission to Reproduce NASM Material, available at Permissions Requests
Names
Early Birds of Aviation (Organization).
Culver, H. Paul, 1893-1964
Topics
Air mail service Aeronautics Aeronautics -- 1903-1916