First in America Aviation Meet program

Collection — Folder: 1

Identifier: 1995-03-19

Contents of the Collection

This small collection is comprised of an original program for the 1910 Los Angeles International Air Meet at Dominguez Field. The front cover reads "Official Program, Tuesday, Jan. 11, 1910 for First America Aviation Meet, Los Angeles, January 10-20, 1910, American & Foreign Aviators, Daily Flights, Los Angeles Day, Price, 10 cents."

The inside pages list officers of the meet, aviators, and balloons scheduled to fly that day, and lists of prizes. On the left inside page, there is a small amount of handwritten notes in pencil. The notes seem to primarily be numerals, identifying a change in the planned order of aviator flights.

The back cover features an image of French aviator Louis Paulhan and an image of a right front view of Curtiss 1910 Pusher biplane piloted by Charles F. Willard coming in for a landing.

Dates

Creation: 1910 January 11

Language of Materials

All materials are in English.

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research and is accessible in the Dahlberg Research Center by appointment. For more information contact us.

Conditions Governing Use

The Museum of Flight (TMOF) Archives is the owner of the physical materials in the archives and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from TMOF archives before any publication use. TMOF does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from copyright owners. Consult repository for more details.

Historical Note: 1910 Los Angeles International Aviation Meet at Dominguez Field

The Los Angeles International Air Meet of 1910 was the first major airshow in the United States. It was held at Dominguez Field, now known as Carson, California. Over the span of the eleven-day event, an estimated 250,000 tickets were sold.

To accomodate spectators, grandstands were constructed and nearby train stations were expanded. Pilots for planes, balloons, and dirigibles were invited to participate in hopes of winning cash prizes for the various competitive events, such as endurance, altitude, and speed. Organizers also invited French aviator Louis Paulhan to underline the international aspect.

The air meet drew many famous aviators, including Glenn H. Curtiss, Roy Knabenshue, Charles Willard, Lincoln Beachey and Charles K. Hamilton. Didier Masson, another French aviator, was also in attendance. While Glenn H. Curtiss did well, it was French aviator Louis Paulhan who stole the show, winning a large amount of the competitive prizes as well as thrilling the crowds with aerial feats.

Source and Further Reading:

Hatfield, David. Dominguez Air Meet. Inglewood, CA: Northrop University Press, 1976.

Extent

0.01 Cubic Feet (1 letter size file folder)

Additional Description

Related Materials at The Museum of Flight

1910 Los Angeles Air Meet newspaper clippings (Accession number 2019-00-00-2). Online finding aid at: https://research.nmof.org/repositories/2/resources/271

Goodman L. Goodmanson Los Angeles International Air Meet Photograph Album (Accession number 1990-03-13). Online finding aid at: https://research.nmof.org/repositories/2/resources/30

Related Material at Other Institutions

Dominguez Air Meet Photography, 1910, Accession 2006-0004, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution. Online finding aid available at: https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/dominguez-air-meet-photography-1910-1910

1910 Los Angeles International Aviation Meet Research Collection, 1909-1999. Department of Archives and Special Collections. University Library. California State University, Dominguez Hills. Online finding aid at http://digitalcollections.archives.csudh.edu/digital/collection/p16855coll1