Tag 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

Posted in Aircraft accident, American history, aviation history, found in the archive, National History Day, Uncategorized, Wyoming History Day | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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

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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

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Anderson Bakewell: The Adventurous Priest on the Rockwell Polar Flight

On November 14, 1965, the Rockwell Polar Flight began what has often been described as the last of the great firsts in polar travel. It was the first round-the-world flight to pass over both the North and South Pole, establishing … Continue reading

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History in Flight at the American Heritage Center

On May 21st, 1927 Charles Lindbergh landed his plane in Paris and gained instant fame for being the first to fly across the Atlantic solo.  In honor of this day in aviation history the American Heritage Center is excited to … Continue reading

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Eugene Vidal: Aviator, Olympic Athlete, High-flying Advisor

Eugene Luther Vidal (1895-1969) was a man of many accomplishments. An engineer as well as an athlete, he graduated from the University of South Dakota and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.  As a student he played on the … Continue reading

Posted in aviation, aviation history, newly processed collections | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Reflections on the Evolution of Air Travel

Are you a nervous flier?  Perhaps it will make you feel better to see that back in the day, it could have been a lot worse to fly.  We’ve used our collections to illustrate just several of the reasons that … Continue reading

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Found in the Archives: Hindenburg Survivors!

Well, not exactly. However, after the recent processing of the Denis J. Mulligan papers, the AHC was thrilled to find documents that survived the crash of the Hindenburg. Mulligan had these documents in his possession after chairing the investigation of … Continue reading

Posted in aviation history, Disasters, found in the archive, newly processed collections, resources | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment