After World War I, aviation developed an increasingly international character. In air races or long distance flights, male and female pilots explored the world and forged bonds with pilots of other nations. Thea Rasche (1899-1971) was the first German woman pilot to visit the United States, attempting to cross the Atlantic Ocean long before Amelia Earhart, and participating in the Women’s Air Derby of 1929, the famous Powder Puff Derby. Elly Beinhorn (1907-2007) visited the US during the "flight around the world" in 1934, finding the inspiration for two of her record-setting flights while visiting American aircraft manufacturers. And Antonie Strassmann (1901-1952) even decided to leave Germany entirely and live in the US, promoting aviation and implementing business contacts between German and US aviation companies. Learn more about these pilots from curator Evelyn Crellin on March 13.

The Ask An Expert lecture series at the Museum in Washington, DC is presented every Wednesday at noon. A Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum.

Participants should meet at the Welcome Center in the Milestones of Flight gallery (Gallery 100).

German woman pilot Thea Rasche with US pilot Clarence Chamberlin (second pilot to fly across the Atlantic Ocean) in 1927. Photo Credit: Carl-Maria Holzapfel, Käte und Rudolf Stocks. Frauen fliegen. Sechzehn deutsche Pilotinnen in ihren Leistungen und Abenteuern, Deutsche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH 1931.

 How to attend

National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC

6th St. and Independence Ave SW. Washington, DC 20560