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 not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Type
MEMORABILIA-Popular Culture
Manufacturer
Polyconcept / Spirit of St. Louis
Physical Description
A silver, rectangular box with a hinged lid. The top of the lid has a black oval with the Spirit of St. Louis and silver lettering "Spirit of St. Louis" Below the oval to the left and right black lettering reads "New York" "Paris" The inside of the box has an olive piece of paper with an image of Lindbergh's head wearing a flight cap. Next to him is a cutaway of the Spirit of St. Louis with essential parts labeled. The main part of the box has a molded piece of plastic covered by fabric. The plastic has three troughs that hold two pens. The pens are silver with black caps. They are both the same length but one pen has a removable cap that exposes the head of the pen while the other cap twists and the head of the pen moves out of the body at the bottom. A strip of fabric attached to the plastic hold the pens in place.
Dimensions
3-D: 22.2 x 6.4 x 2.5cm, 0.2kg (8 3/4 x 2 1/2 x 1 in., 1/2lb.)
Materials
Steel, brass, paper, synthetic fabric and plastic
Inventory Number
A20040292027
Credit Line
Gift of the Stanley King Family.
Data Source
National Air and Space Museum
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
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