Pioneers of Flight: Cal Rodgers and the Vin Fiz
In 1911 in the Wright EX Vin Fiz, Calbraith Perry Rodgers became the first person to cross the United States from coast to coast by airplane—a trip that took 49 days.
Rodgers secured financial backing for the transcontinental flight from Chicago's Armour Company, then introducing Vin Fiz, a new grape-flavored soft drink. Armour agreed to pay Rodgers $5 for each mile he flew east of the Mississippi River and $4 for each mile west of it. The airplane was emblazoned with the Vin Fiz logo, making this the first aircraft ever used for commercial advertising.
The Ask An Expert lecture series at the National Mall building 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.
National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC
6th St. and Independence Ave SW. Washington, DC 20560
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