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. Calbraith Perry Rodgers' Wright EX biplane was named the Vin Fiz after the grape soft drink product of his sponsor, the Armor Company. This bottle contained the syrup from which the Vin Fiz soft drink was made.
Rodgers left Sheepshead Bay, New York, on September 17, 1911. A "hangar" car, a rolling workshop filled with spare parts to repair and maintain the airplane, followed along, also with the Vin Fiz logo on it. The flight was punctuated by numerous stops, delays, and accidents. When Hearst's 30-day time limit expired, Rodgers had only reached Kansas City, Missouri. Undaunted, he continued on, determined to make the first transcontinental airplane flight whether he received the money or not. He arrived in Pasadena, California, to a hero's welcome, 49 days after setting out. Although Pasadena was the official end of the coast-to-coast journey, Rodgers flew on to Long Beach to complete the flight at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. The total distance covered was 6,914 km (4,321 mi) in 82 hours, 4 minutes, total flying time at an average speed of 82.4 kph (51.5 mph).
Display Status
This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date
circa 1911
Type
MEMORABILIA-Events
Physical Description
Clear, cylindrical glass bottle with protrusion around neck. Stopper missing. Paper label with Vin Fiz grape drink logo. Label colors are tan background with border of fine green line and heavier purple line. Letters of Vin Fiz logo in the shape of vines and has image of bunch of grapes.
Dimensions
3-D: 28.6 × 8.6cm (11 1/4 × 3 3/8 in.)
Materials
Glass
Paper
Plastic
Adhesive
Ink
Inventory Number
A20210423000
Credit Line
Gift of the Carroll F. Gray Aeronautical Collection
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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