Charles Lindbergh, the first man to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, would have been 107 years old today, had he lived.
Next time you fly, remember him with gratitude: because he’s the man who broke down the floodgates and released capital, enthusiasm and vigor into the US domestic air transportation market. Prior to his flight, there was little or no commercial aviation in the USA, which was a decade behind Europe in developing air transport. Within a decade of Lindbergh’s achievement, the USA had caught up with and overtaken Europe, and was well positioned to win the war of manufacturing prowess and technological progress in the air during the Second World War.
Lindbergh’s later activities may have cast a shadow over his reputation, but we should never forget what we owe him.
Peter
My father detested Lindberg. He’d grant the deed of Lindberg crossing the Atlantic and lamented the kidnapping of their child. But, Lindberg’s activities with the “America First” and other pro-Nazi/facist organizations negated any positive acts by Lindberg.
Dad held strong convictions and had a long memory. I didn’t agree with every opinion, he was a life-long democrat and I wasn’t, but there was no doubt what Dad thought.