Stories of daring, stories of technological feats, stories of prevailing against the odds ... these are the stories we tell at the National Air and Space Museum. Dive in to the stories below to discover, learn, and be inspired. 

Showing 41 - 50 of 95

Original loan photograph from 1932

December 05, 2016

Exploring the History of our Chinese Kite Collection

Story

In 1876, after the dust from the United States’ first World’s Fair and Centennial Exposition settled on the grounds of Fairmount Park in Philadelphia, the Smithsonian Institution’s collections expanded exponentially. Sixty boxcars filled with art, mechanical inventions, and other materials from many of the 37 countries who participated in the Exposition pulled into Washington, DC as gifts for a brand new museum.

Close up of the "Spirit of St. Louis" small fin and rudder.

November 08, 2016

Stories from Inside the Spirit of St. Louis

Story | Air and Space Photos

The renovation of the Museum’s Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall helped us uncover and rediscover interesting stories and facts. This is true of the Spirit of St. Louis, the aircraft that Charles Lindbergh famously piloted across the Atlantic.

Image of Twin combat team

October 31, 2016

Frightful Early Flight Gear

Story | From the Archives

Still seeking Halloween inspiration? We’re drawing spooky inspiration from our archives. These photos document early attempts at protecting aviators and their support crews. The results, while practical, were often quite creepy. 

<i>Harper's Weekly</i> October 9, 1909

September 28, 2016

1909: Flight Around the Statue of Liberty

Story | This Day in History

Today in 1909, Wilbur Wright flew around the Statue of Liberty as part of the New York Hudson-Fulton Celebration, resulting in this historic Harper’s Weekly cover page. 

Blanche Stuart Scott

September 02, 2016

First Solo Hop

Story | This Day in History

Although her flight is not considered “official,” this day in history we remember Blanche Stuart Scott, the first American woman to take a solo hop into the air.

Lockheed 5B Vega in Pioneers of Flight

August 25, 2016

1932: Amelia Earhart Flies Nonstop Across U.S.

Story | This Day in History

Today in 1932, Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly across the U.S. nonstop. Earhart  piloted her Lockheed Vega 5B from Los Angeles to Newark in a record 19 hours and 5 minutes.

Early Exhibition Flying

August 22, 2016

1909: The First Major International Flying Meet

Story | This Day in History

On this day in 1909, some of the world's leading aviators met at a racetrack in Reims, France, to compete in the first organized international air meet.

Orville Wright

August 19, 2016

Orville Wright Born Today in 1871

Story | This Day in History

Today in 1871, aviator and inventor Orville Wright was born to Milton and Susan Catherine Koerner Wright. Orville was the sixth of seven children born to the Wrights.

Rearview shot of an early airplane with Moisant in cockpit looking over her shoulder and smiling at the camera.

August 13, 2016

Aug. 13, 1911: Second U.S. Woman to Earn Pilot’s License

Story | This Day in History

On August 13, 1911, Matilde Moisant became the second woman in the United States to receive her pilot’s license, just a few weeks after her friend Harriet Quimby.

1908 Wright Flyer at Le Mans

August 08, 2016

On This Day: Wilbur Wright Flies in Europe

Story | This Day in History

On this day in 1908, Wilbur Wright publicly demonstrated a Wright aircraft for the first time in Europe at the Hunaudières racecourse at Le Mans, southwest of Paris.