Charles Augustus Lindbergh remains a towering figure in the history of aviation, even as we enter the twenty-first century and aerospace studies expands as a field of study.

In retrospect, Lindbergh was more than a talented aviator, making an epic solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. He emerged as a cult hero with an enormous following, and for many Americans the exemplar of aviation–a hero of his age. Yet, Lindbergh was more than a barnstormer or record-breaking pilot. He sought to use his fame to make an impact on society, first as a proponent of aviation progress, then as a spokesman for his own brand of American Isolationism, and–later in life–as a defender of nature and wildlife. If stubborn and outspoken, his views evolved over time. And he would remain a controversial and enigmatic figure.

This proposed session will examine is extraordinary life and career from a museum perspective.

The museum context offers a unique avenue to reexamine Lindbergh. Through artifacts and their interpretation it is possible to reassess Lindbergh’s profound impact on technology, culture, and politics.

These museum professionals will participate in the proposed session:

F. Robert van der Linden, Chairman Aeronautics Department Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

Dorothy Cochrane, Curator Aeronautics Department Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

Roger Connor, Museum Specialist Aeronautics Department Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

Carl J. Bobrow Museum Specialist Collections Division Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum

Each of the presenters will look at Lindbergh from the vantage point of their work in the museum context. As such, the panel will bring a variety of perspectives to the topic of Lindbergh and his legacy. They will examine selected issues from their own historical research and museum work. The intent of the session is to keynote a series of fresh assessments of the man and his career. The session will be designed to spark discussion and dialogue as well with the audience as among the panel itself in an effort to examine through scholarly input and insight key aspects brought to light from the presentations.

The topics covered are as follows:

F. Robert van der Linden: “Charles Lindbergh, T.A.T, and the Creation of the U.S. Passenger Airline Industry.”  An examination of Lindbergh’s important role in fostering passenger airline industry in the United States in general and his contribution to the formation and operation of Transcontinental Air Transport in particular.

Dorothy Cochrane: “Anne Morrow Lindbergh, Pilot and Literary Light in Aviation.” A discussion of Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s accomplishments in aviation through several perspectives: as Charles Lindbergh’s wife and copilot, as a pioneering female aviator of the 1930s, as a role model, and as a writer.

Roger Connor: “Weems and Watches: Charles Lindbergh and the Elite of Air Navigation.” An examination of Lindbergh’s post-Paris navigational efforts. The focus will be on the context of professionalizing aviation for commercial interests and his attempts to move the technology from the realm of his own exceptionalism (or “luck”) to more reliable forms that would permit aeronautics to move from amusement to a viable mode of transport.

Carl J. Bobrow: “Lindbergh Mania as Expressed in Material Culture.” A fresh analysis of the phenomenon of “Lindbergh mania” in American culture–as expressed in material culture. Lindbergh’s pervasive influence set the stage for myriad expressions in popular culture. The NASM possesses a unique and diverse collection of these artifacts, which will serve in part as the basis for this presentation.