On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh literally flew into history when he crossed the Atlantic Ocean in his Ryan NYP Spirit of St. Louis, thus becoming the first pilot to fly solo and nonstop from New York to Paris. This flight made Lindbergh a household name and catapulted him into fame and celebrity. The objects of popular culture in the National Collection display everything from ashtrays to wristwatches reflect the public adulation for Lindbergh and the powerful commercial response to his celebrity. More than 75 years after the Spirit's historic flight, Lindbergh's name still has the power help sell manufactured goods.

 Display Status

This object is on display in Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA.

Boeing Aviation Hangar
Object Details
Type MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture Manufacturer Polyconcept / Spirit of St. Louis
 Physical Description A golden oblong lighter with a hinged cap. The outside of the case has a black image of Lindbergh in a flight jacket. The cap has a black oval with the Spirit of St. Louis and black lettering "Spirit of St. Louis" below the airplane. The wheel of the lighter is gray and the wick is white. THe lighter rests in a cardboard box with a space cut out for the lighter. The box has brown sides and a bottom. An image of Lindbergh is in the top left corner of the box top. Dimensions 3-D: 6 x 2.2 x 9.8cm (2 3/8 x 7/8 x 3 7/8 in.)
 Materials Metal and paper
 Inventory Number A20040287053 Credit Line Gift of the Stanley King Family. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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