Appearing on the opening day of the International Civil Aeronautics Conference on December 12, 1928, President Coolidge marked the first quarter of a century for aviation. So much had been accomplished that seemed absolutely unattainable, except in myth and fable, for all of human existence. That first 12 second flight of a heavier-than-air machine accomplished by Wilbur and Orville Wright on the beaches of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, opened a world of what was now possible. It would never have happened and certainly never have flourished had not visionary men and women worked to achieve it, perfect it and preserve private ingenuity as the moving force of its future development.
Without President Coolidge’s decisive role in shaping air policy, a strong case could be made that there would have been no private or commercial aviation. It could have remained exclusively under the control of a military establishment. Certainly a civil aeronautics conference would not have occurred. It was through his well-timed deployment of the Morrow Board, his encouragement of the commercial and national defense potential of air technology along independent lines, and his superlative political skill in shepherding and signing the Air Commerce Act in May 1926 brought order out of the chaos in coordinating aviation while keeping the doors of opportunity open to private innovation (Komons, Bonfires to Beacons, p.88). As had been accomplished with the Radio Act of 1927, President Coolidge left a distinct imprint not only on the early development of modern communications but also on the success of air travel.
President Coolidge, speaking to the 441 aviators, inventors, and delegates present (including Orville Wright and Charles Lindbergh), began:
“Members of the Conference:
“This year will mark the first quarter century of the history of human flight. It has been a period of such great importance in scientific development that it seems fitting to celebrate it with appropriate form and ceremony. For that purpose this conference has been called, and to the consideration of the past record and future progress of the science of aeronautics, in behalf of the Government and people of the United States, I bid you welcome.
“Twenty-five years ago, at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, occurred an event of tremendous significance. It was the first extended flight ever made by man in a power-driven heavier-than-air machine. How more appropriately could we celebrate this important anniversary than by gathering together to consider the strides made throughout the world in the science and practice of civil aeronautics since that day, and to discuss ways and means of further developing it for the benefit of mankind?
“Others, whose names will long be remembered, had done much to solve the problem, but it remained for the able, persistent, and modest brothers from Dayton to demonstrate completely the possibility of a machine raising itself by its own power and carrying a man in sustained flight.
“Human flight with wings, which had intrigued the imagination since the beginning of time, became a practical reality on the day that the airplane of Wilbur and Orville Wright rose from the windswept dunes of the Atlantic coast. The elder brother lives with us only in memory, but Orville Wright, who piloted that first plane, is still actively interested in that science. We are glad to have him as one of our delegates to this conference.
“No achievement of man in the progress of civilization has had a more rapid expansion…Even within our memory utter impossibility was expressed by saying: ‘Might as well try to fly’…
“With genius, indomitable perseverance, and a will to overcome obstacles, the Wrights, mindful of what had gone before, applied themselves to the solution of the problem. They experimented at Kitty Hawk for three seasons; and in the fourth, on December 17, 1903, success crowned their efforts…That first flight lasted only 12 seconds. Three more were made the same day. One of 59 seconds carried the plane a distance of 852 feet. It was wrecked by the wind and tests ended for the time. Further experiments were made in Dayton in 1904 and 1905. In the latter year a Wright plane traveled for 24 miles at the rate of 38 miles an hour. Three years later one was bought by the War Department, our Government being the first to utilize this new device.
“Other countries took up the idea and for a period rather outstripped us in flying…It is to the development of aeronautics as an aid to the peaceful pursuits of transportation, of commerce, and of trade that this conference is to direct its attention…In 1926 this Government officially recognized the importance of flying by establishing the post of Assistant Secretary for Aeronautics in each of the War, the Navy, and the Commerce Departments. Since then we have made remarkable progress. Then the value of the aeronautic industry in the United States was placed at less than $5,000,000. Today it is said to be in excess of $150,000,000. In 1925 the production of aircraft was valued at about $13,000,000; for 1928 the estimate is over $50,000,000…
“Regular flying in the United States, beginning with a short mail line, has increased until this year there are approximately 15,500 miles of airways…The daily mileage is estimated at 52,000 miles. We have three important national lines–New York to Montreal, Seattle to Vancouver, and Miami to Havana. Plans to extend the latter to the Isthmus and South America are under way…The airplane is used for fast day travel, with a transfer to a railroad for the night journey…
“The twentieth century will be known for the development of aeronautics and air transport. The airways of the world now have a greater mileage than the railways did in 1850, the twenty-fifth anniversary of the opening of the first railroad built by Stephenson…
“The country-wide tour of Lindbergh in the United States, following his wonderful and spectacular flight to Paris, did much to make Americans air-minded. A large amount of civil flying is now being done here, and the civilian-owned aircraft number over 6,000…
“Air transport means much to the United States, divided as it is in the West by lofty mountain ranges and deserts. In the early days it took six months to go from Missouri to the Pacific coast. An airplane traveled across the continent in less than 24 hours. We are stretching out our arms through the air to Canada and to our other friends and neighbors in the South.
“All nations are looking forward to the day of extensive, regular, and reasonably safe intercontinental and interoceanic transportation by airplane and airship. What the future holds out even the imagination may be inadequate to grasp. We may be sure, however, that the perfection and extension of air transport throughout the world will be of the utmost significance to civilization. While the primary aim of this industry is and will be commercial and economic and the prosperity of the world will be immeasurably advanced by it, indirectly, but no less surely, will the nations be drawn more closely together in bonds of amity and understanding.”
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