Difference between revisions of "Charles Lindbergh"
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Lindbergh was bold in using a single-engine plane and in flying solo. He argued that aircraft engines were now reliable enough to be counted on, and that the loss of a single engine in a multi-engine aircraft would be so serious that having several engines increased, rather than reduced, the risk. Bolder, perhaps, was his decision to fly alone, meaning that he needed to remain awake for 33 hours. | Lindbergh was bold in using a single-engine plane and in flying solo. He argued that aircraft engines were now reliable enough to be counted on, and that the loss of a single engine in a multi-engine aircraft would be so serious that having several engines increased, rather than reduced, the risk. Bolder, perhaps, was his decision to fly alone, meaning that he needed to remain awake for 33 hours. | ||
| − | + | ==Kidnapping== | |
Lindbergh's life was touched with tragedy when his twenty-month-old baby was kidnapped, and ultimately killed, by Bruno Richard Hauptmann. | Lindbergh's life was touched with tragedy when his twenty-month-old baby was kidnapped, and ultimately killed, by Bruno Richard Hauptmann. | ||
| − | + | ==World War II== | |
| − | Lindbergh visited Germany in 1938 and was impressed by | + | Lindbergh visited Germany in 1938 on a mission for the U.S. Air Corps. he studied and was impressed by the "Luftwaffe", the German air force, warning Americans it had the best equipment in the world. He accepted a medal from [[Hermann Goering]] for his services to aviation. He attracted criticism and some regarded him as a [[Nazi]] sympathizer, a charge he strongly denied and which historians generally reject. Lindbergh strongly opposed U.S. entry into the [[Second World War]], and suggested that if the U.S. did enter, it should be on the side of Germany. |
| − | + | [[Image:Spirit-stlouis.jpg|thumb|370px|The Spirit of St. Louis]] | |
Lindbergh worked as a civilian consultant to aviation companies, particularly Pan American Airways. He flew all over the world scouting possible routes that Pan Am could fly. In later years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Lockheed Corporation. | Lindbergh worked as a civilian consultant to aviation companies, particularly Pan American Airways. He flew all over the world scouting possible routes that Pan Am could fly. In later years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Lockheed Corporation. | ||
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*[[Alexis Carrel]] | *[[Alexis Carrel]] | ||
| + | ==Further reading== | ||
| + | * Berg, A. Scott. ''Lindbergh'' (1999), the best biography [http://www.amazon.com/Lindbergh-Scott-Berg/dp/0425170411/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229819245&sr=8-1 excerpt and text search] | ||
| + | * Mosely, Leonard. ''Lindbergh: A Biography'' (2000) [http://www.amazon.com/Lindbergh-Biography-Leonard-Mosley/dp/0486409643/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1229819245&sr=8-2 excerpt and text search] | ||
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lindbergh, Charles}} | {{DEFAULTSORT:Lindbergh, Charles}} | ||
[[Category:Aviation]] | [[Category:Aviation]] | ||
| + | [[Category:United States Air Force]] | ||
| + | [[Category:United States History]] | ||
Revision as of 00:29, December 21, 2008
Charles Lindbergh was an aviation pioneer. In 1927 he became the first to fly solo, non-stop, from New York to Paris. This feat created a sensation and he was welcomed by enormous crowds in France and, on his return, in New York. He was known as "Lucky Lindy" and inspired a dance, the "Lindy Hop."
Lindbergh was bold in using a single-engine plane and in flying solo. He argued that aircraft engines were now reliable enough to be counted on, and that the loss of a single engine in a multi-engine aircraft would be so serious that having several engines increased, rather than reduced, the risk. Bolder, perhaps, was his decision to fly alone, meaning that he needed to remain awake for 33 hours.
Kidnapping
Lindbergh's life was touched with tragedy when his twenty-month-old baby was kidnapped, and ultimately killed, by Bruno Richard Hauptmann.
World War II
Lindbergh visited Germany in 1938 on a mission for the U.S. Air Corps. he studied and was impressed by the "Luftwaffe", the German air force, warning Americans it had the best equipment in the world. He accepted a medal from Hermann Goering for his services to aviation. He attracted criticism and some regarded him as a Nazi sympathizer, a charge he strongly denied and which historians generally reject. Lindbergh strongly opposed U.S. entry into the Second World War, and suggested that if the U.S. did enter, it should be on the side of Germany.
Lindbergh worked as a civilian consultant to aviation companies, particularly Pan American Airways. He flew all over the world scouting possible routes that Pan Am could fly. In later years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Lockheed Corporation.
Lindbergh wrote two books about his flight: We and The Spirit of St. Louis.
See also
Further reading
- Berg, A. Scott. Lindbergh (1999), the best biography excerpt and text search
- Mosely, Leonard. Lindbergh: A Biography (2000) excerpt and text search