Category Archives: Pinoeers in Aviation

Louis Bleriot (1872-1936) was the French aviation pioneer who completed the first flight across a large body of water in a heavier-than-air craft. His interest in aviation developed while studying engineering at the Ecole Centrale Paris. Establishing a successful acetylene automobile headlamp business gave Bleriot the income he needed to fund his passion for flying. Early experiments include towing gliders behind a boat and constructing an ornithopter in 1900. The ornithopter was a machine which flapped its wings in a… (more…)

Hermann Köhl (1888-1938) was the German aviation pioneer who was the first to cross the North Atlantic Ocean in the east-west direction. He joined the army at the age of 19 and was a Lieutenant in the Württembergisches Pionier-Bataillon Nr.13 (Engineer Bataillon) by the beginning of World War I. Suffering an injury to his legs disqualified Köhl from further service in the engineer troops so he volunteered for the German Army Air Service. He was promoted to commander of a… (more…)

Amelia Earhart (1897-1937) was the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean and broke several aviation records throughout her flying career. Born in Atchison, Kansas Earhart was raised unconventionally by her mother, wearing bloomers instead of skirts and playing rough games outdoors. Earhart was home schooled until joining public education at the age of twelve. Moving to Chicago at the age of 17, the future female aviator canvassed the local high schools to find the best science program.… (more…)