Flying was new and daring in the early years of the 20th century. Traveling by airplane was rare. Airlines, airliners, airports, air routes—none of these existed. But by century's end, you could travel to almost anywhere in America by air in a matter of hours.

Calder DC-8

Flying was new and daring in the early years of the 20th century. Traveling by airplane was rare. Airlines, airliners, airports, air routes—none of these existed. But by century's end, you could travel to almost anywhere in America by air in a matter of hours.

Calder DC-8

Stories

“If You Can See It, You Can Be It.” Jumbo Jet
AirSpace Season 9 Episode 8: Limited Edition What Happened to the Concordes? AirSpace Season 8, Episode 10: Love at First Flight

Events

Learn more Story Time: Lisa's Airplane Trip National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in January 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Lisa's Airplane Trip National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in January 2025 at 11:00 am Learn more Story Time: Lisa's Airplane Trip National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Thursdays in January 2025 at 11:00 am

Exhibitions

Learn more One World Connected National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC Learn more Commercial Aviation Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, VA

Learning Resources

Teacher Tips for Food on the Fly Teacher Tips to correspond with STEM in 30's Food on the Fly episode. https://s.si.edu/3qnJWhY Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Commercial aviation, Human spaceflight, Life sciences, People, Society and Culture

Teacher

educational-use-permitted

The Olive Problem How does an olive alter an airline's bottom line? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXZrViOxcdc Grade 5, Grade 7, Grade 6, Grade 8 Aviation, Commercial aviation, General aviation, People

Student

educational-use-permitted

History of Airline Food A short history of airline food. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcXBBxDFaAs Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8 Aviation, Commercial aviation, Human spaceflight, Physical science, Spaceflight

Other

educational-use-permitted

My Path: "Every Team is Better with Diverse Viewpoints" Andrea Putteet Sometimes when you are working as a team, you can perform miracles. Andrea Putteet https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MMsgUJ08UPc Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Aircraft, Commercial aviation, Behind the scenes, General aviation, People, Technology and Engineering, Women

Student

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My Path: "I Love Building Things" - Joe Wilding, Co-Founder of Boom Supersonic Joe Wilding was the co-founder of Boom Supersonic. Learn about his path, and the future of supersonic flight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdgRlBIfDD4 Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Aircraft, Aviation, Behind the scenes, Commercial aviation, People, Records and Firsts, Science, Technology and Engineering

Student

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My Path: Brandon Jones, Aerospace Engineer How does backpacking help you as an aerospace engineer? Find out in this edition of My Path. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66jVKXU47L0 Grade 5, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Grade 9 Aircraft, Aviation, Behind the scenes, Commercial aviation, Drones, General aviation, People, Robotics, Science, Technology and Engineering

Student

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Publications

Learn more Airlines and Air Mail: The Post Office and the Birth of Commercial Aviation