-
Recent Posts
- The Need for a Hero: Comics in World War II
- 2026 Wyoming History Day Contest Results
- “For the Use and Benefit of the People”: Foundations of the University of Wyoming
- The History of the Union Pacific Big Boy: The World’s Largest Steam Locomotive
- From Vision to Legacy: The Milward L. Simpson Fund’s Enduring Impact on UW Political Science
Archives
Categories
Subscribe
Email Subscription
Join 174 other subscribers
Category Archives: aviation history
Pieces of the Hindenburg: Treasure Hunting in Wyoming
While doing research in 2013 at the American Heritage Center for the National History Day competition, I came across an amazing discovery. Many History Day students strategically (and wisely) first pick a collection at the AHC and then base their … Continue reading
Summer Travels, On a Wing and a Prayer
So, you’re doing some air travel for the summer? Perhaps you’re anticipating the destination, but not the journey itself. We can commiserate. Yes, there can be many vexations with modern air travel, even in the 21st century. As annoying as … Continue reading
How the United States Coast Guard Got its Wings
The United States Coast Guard has been in operation since August 4, 1790. At the request of Alexander Hamilton, the Revenue-Marine was created with a purpose of collecting customs duties at U.S. seaports. In 1915, the service became the Coast … Continue reading
Aloha Wanderwell – A Well-Wandered Woman
To commemorate March as Women’s History Month, the AHC would like to feature the life of adventurer Idris Galcia Hall (1906-1996) who christened herself “Aloha Wanderwell.” In 1922 at age 16, she answered an ad calling for “a good-looking brainy … Continue reading
Posted in aviation history, Explorers, popular culture, Uncategorized, women's history, World exploration
Tagged Aloha Wanderwell, Captain Walter Wanderwell, Desert Dust, Documentary Films, Explorers of the Purple Sage, Idris Galcia Hall, Walter Nicholas Baker, Wild horse roundup, Women's History Month
Leave a comment
Marguerite Shepherd: Assistant to “Ace of Aces” Eddie Rickenbacker
Marguerite “Sheppy” Shepherd (1894-1983) was the longtime personal assistant to ‘Ace of Aces’ Eddie Rickenbacker (1890-1973), a World War I fighter pilot, race car driver, automotive designer, government consultant in military matters, air transport pioneer, and longtime head of Eastern Air … Continue reading
Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher Leads at World War II’s Battle of Midway
The Battle of Midway occurred June 3 to June 7, 1942 – six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. One of Japan’s main goals during World War II was to remove the United States as a Pacific Power in … Continue reading
When Lions Fly
It’s a familiar sight – a roaring lion’s head in a golden frame. We see this iconic image at the beginning of our favorite films, TV shows, and cartoons, but the history behind this logo is little known. MGM’s Leo … Continue reading
Posted in Animal actors, aviation, aviation history, Hollywood history, motion picture history, Student projects, television history, Uncategorized
Tagged Airline accident, Arizona, Dole Air Race, Gila County Arizona, Leo the Lion, Lions, Martin Jensen, MGM, Publicity stunt, Ryan B-1 Brougham plane
Leave a comment
Memorializing the United Air Lines DC-4 Crash on Medicine Bow Peak, October 6, 1955
Decades have passed since that fateful day when a United Air Lines DC-4 struck Medicine Bow Peak on the morning of October 6, 1955. Flight 409, which originated in New York City with a final destination of San Francisco, was … Continue reading
Pioneer Aviator A.F. Bonnalie
“My first flight was in a glider Nov. 1 1911 off a hill south of Twin Peaks in San Francisco which was built by about ten students calling themselves ‘The [Polytechnic] High School Aero Club.’ – extract from “Brief Biography” … Continue reading