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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

Watch and case. The case is silver and shaped like the cross-section of a wing with a clear plastic cover that is hinged at the larger end of the case. A silver tag attached to the clear cover has an image of the Spirit of St. Louis engraved into it along with the text "New York Paris Spirit of St. Louis" The watch has a green circular face with an hour hand and a minute hand that are silver and glow in the dark. The second hand is red. The numbers on the face are white but do not include 2, 3 or 4. These numbers have been replaced by a rotating date and a semi-circular white arc with numbers .21, .32, .45 and .52. Above the number 6 is a white oval with an image of the Spirit of St. Louis and the text "New York Paris Spirit of St. Louis”. A crown is located at the 3 o'clock position. The band is black and green fabric and is secured by Velcro.

Dimensions

3-D: 22.9 x 6.5 x 3.8cm, 0.2kg (9 x 2 9/16 x 1 1/2 in., 1/2lb.)

Materials

Plastic, metal, paper and fabric

Inventory Number

A20040287043

Credit Line

Gift of the Stanley King Family.

Data Source

National Air and Space Museum

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply
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