Aviation Historian, Bob Schmidt

Mr. Bob Schmidt, Aviation Historian, gave a slide presentation on "Balloons to Bombers". Those of us who grew up in the area were aware of the aircraft industry and the importance for a livelihood of many. We remembered the many small airports that dotted the Hempstead Plains as we rode the Hempstead Turnpike. How the harbors of Port Washington, Manhasset Bay, Hempstead Harbor was ideal for the testing and landing of the many float planes. As well as, Babylon Great South Bay which was ideal for the landing and take off of seaplanes in 1938.

A proud time for Long Island. The aircraft industry supported many in a wide variety of ways. The names associated with the aircraft industry: Grumman, Curtiss, Sperry, Serversky, Fairchild and Republic where real people with a dream. A dream they developed into a major industry that utilized the talents of many. The many talents that go into the design and development of an aircraft, the skill of those responsible for the varied tasks required in manufacturing. All took pride in the finished product and its many accomplishments. This was the part of the aviation history that many of us remembered.

Mr. Schmidt went further back in aviation history to the development of the many experimental aircraft by people who were the geniuses of that time. Some were successful and others total failures. The early flyers were many looking for the thrill and challenge of flight. The gutsy ladies whose strong desire to fly and the many obstacles they endured in this male dominated field. Especially the proud black women who wanted the opportunity to fly, and many succeeded. Bessie Coleman in 1922 overcame the obstacle of discrimination, of being a black woman, by going to France to train then returning to Curtiss Field in Mineola to make her first flight in America. Harriet Quimbly in 1912 was the first licensed female pilot who later died in an airplane accident. Elinor Smith was a world class pilot while still in her teens.

Information from the CPHS Newsletter - May, 2003