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Pulling back the curtain on artifacts in storage

A former Blackbird pilot now volunteers at the National Air and Space Museum.

Crop-dusting was an often hazardous occupation, until a maverick entrepreneur and pilot designed the right airplanes for the job. 

After World War I, many people began to operate commercial airlines. But every one of these early efforts failed because of high operating costs.

While fashion accessories may not be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of the National Air and Space Museum, this collection captures the diversity and playfulness of flight crew dress across the decades.

New airlines emerging after World War II began operating on a nonscheduled basis and offering the first discount fares, undermining the government's regulated airfare system.

In 1978, Congress passed a law allowing airlines to set their own fares and routes, an event that transformed the commercial airline industry and the passenger experience.

How have computers transformed commercial flight? From ticket reservations to aircraft design and manufacture, computers have helped airline operations become more efficient and flexible.

Air mail had helped the commercial aviation industry thrive in its early days. Contracts to deliver mail were awarded to airlines by the federal government, but small, independent airlines complained that the way contracts were distributed was unfair.

Flight attendants were some of the people at the forefront of the fight for equality in the 20th century. Meet some of these remarkable people in this article.