All Stories

How a WWII WASP pilot's flight jacket came to be part of the museum's collection.

A small group of Americans, many of them women, joined pliots from 25 other countries in England's Air Transport Auxilliary, where they ferried hundreds of thousands of planes across the British Isles.

In her new book, On a Mission: The Smithsonian History of US Women Astronauts, Valerie Neal explores what makes an astronaut. 

We talk to a real-life "Rosie the Riveter" and hear the story of how World War II transformed American aviation, manufacturing, and labor.

The Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) were a huge part of civilian aviation during WWII. Ahead of our new limited series, Home Front, we've brought back our season four episode where we highlighted the heroic service and enduring legacy of WASP. 

Pancho Barnes was an air racer, stunt pilot, entrepreneur, and even party instigator—a woman who knew no bounds.

Americans with disabilities have made history flying almost since the airplane was invented.

Many are familiar with Rosie the Riveter. However, women also played an important role in World War I, especially in regard to aviation.

Aviator Pancho Barnes was larger than life. Born at the turn of the century, she spent the next 75 years defying every societal norm she found stuffy, boring, or just plain stupid. 

Aviator Pancho Barnes was larger than life. Born at the turn of the century, she spent the next 75 years defying every societal norm she found stuffy, boring, or just plain stupid.