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The first crossing of the United States by airplane was achieved by Calbraith Perry Rodgers in 1911 in his Wright EX biplane, named the Vin Fiz. This collection consists of a short booklet written by Rodgers during the course of his cross-country flight that was sold to raise money for the aviator.
The first crossing of the United States by airplane was achieved by Calbraith Perry Rodgers in 1911 in his Wright EX biplane, named the Vin Fiz. Rodgers decided to attempt the coast-to-coast flight in response to publisher William Randolph Hearst's New York American challenge which offered a prize of $50,000 for the first transcontinental flight to be competed in 30 days. Rodgers began his journey from Sheepshead Bay, New York, on September 17, 1911, and as the flight was punctuated by numerous stops, delays, and accidents the 30-day time limit Hearst imposed for the prize had expired before Rodgers reached California on November 5, 1911. To finance the trip, Rodgers had secured backing from the Armour Company, a Chicago firm which was then introducing a new grape-flavored soft drink called Vin Fiz.
NASM.XXXX.0889
Armour Company
1911
Unknown, found in collection, NASM.XXXX.0889.
0.05 Cubic feet (1 folder)
National Air and Space Museum Archives
Wright EX Vin Fiz in the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Collection: Wright EX Vin Fiz, A19340060000.
This collection consists of a short booklet written by Calbraith Perry Rodgers during the course of his cross-country flight that was sold to raise money for the aviator. The booklet, which has been laminated, includes photographs of Rodgers and the Wright EX Vin Fiz as well as a labeled cross section drawing of the aircraft with detailed specifications, and a Vin Fiz soft drink advertisement on the back cover.
Collection is a single item.
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Story of My Flying with Complete Technical Description of My Aeroplane booklet by Calbraith Perry Rodgers, NASM.XXXX.0889, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Aeronautics
Wright (Co) Model EX "Vin Fiz"
Air pilots
Collection descriptions
Archival materials
Booklets