Exchange and Aviation

National Secretary Harter was one of the first to sense the tremendous future in aviation, and he urged his growing organization's participation in that area. During the 1920s, there were many spectacular achievements in aviation. Charles A. Lindbergh made his electrifying solo flight across the Atlantic in 1927. A year later, on June 17-18, Amelia Earhart, in the company of copilots Lou Gordon and Wilmer Stultz made the first trans-Atlantic night by a woman. She became the symbol for a new age of courageous and independent women. One month later, she was the headline speaker at the 12th National Convention of The National Exchange change Club in Toledo, Ohio.

That convention also produced a resolution in support of aviation. For many years hence, Exchange would be urging the marking of building roofs to identify cities and towns for aviators; promoting the establishment of permanent and emergency landing fields and furnishing them with proper equipment and lighting, advocating the use of air transportation for mail, freight and passengers; and otherwise promoting aviation and cooperating with the government in the development of' air transportation. An airplane transportation service between Detroit and Toledo, established especially for the Toledo convention attendees was billed as the first of its kind in the history of American conventions.

Back...