The first crossing of the United States by airplane was achieved by Calbraith Perry Rodgers in 1911. In 1910, famed publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst announced his offer of a $50,000-prize for a U.S. transcontinental flight in thirty days or less. Rodgers' Wright EX biplane was named the Vin Fiz after his sponsor's grape soda product. He left Sheepshead Bay, New York, on September 17, 1911. When Hearst's 30-day time limit expired, Rodgers had only reached Kansas City, Missouri. He arrived in Pasadena, California, to a hero's welcome, 49 days after setting out. Highlighted in this image is the tail of the Wright EX Vin Fiz. Created by Eric Long Date Created 09/25/2017 Source Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Keywords Aircraft; Aviation; Aviators; Competition Flight; Exploration; Inventors; People; Pre-WWI; Private; Records & Firsts Rights and Restrictions CC0
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