Andrew Stidsen

HI Capstone

Dr. Briesacher

3/20/15

The American Empire of Aviation

Mankind has long had a fascination with achieving flight. From the first balloon

ride forward society was well on its way towards a drastic change, as aviation would

blossom and flourish into a booming empire that now touches nearly every aspect of

society on all corners of the earth. The first winged flight with the Wright brothers

marked another milestone and led to the technology seen in today’s planes even being

achievable. The importance of planes was immediately realized and would soon be put

to use in war, transportation, and in moving mail and goods across the world. The impact

of the aviation empire does not stop here however. Aviation has had enormous effects on

economies as well, not only in the manufacturing of planes and their raw materials, but in

the commercial aviation industry. The commercial aviation industry has a huge impact

on economies worldwide not only did it create jobs for millions, it opened up new

markets. A businessman based in New York can now meet face to face with a

businessman in Hong Kong next day if need be. This level of globalization would not

have been possible without the aviation empire being as strong as it is. The importance

of aviation goes on and on and when examining its growth it becomes all to apparent that

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the American empire of aviation has been built and colonized by many forces along the

way.

The humble beginning of the modern airplane was the brainchild of two brothers

from Ohio who dared to challenge what was known in the field. Wilbur and Orville

Wright had only a high school level education yet managed to solve an engineering feat

that many deemed impossible. The pair were mere glider hobbyists in the beginning

spending what time they had away from their bicycle shop working on perfecting gliders.

However their talent was soon noticed by one of the leading figures in the field of gliders,

Octave Chanute. Chanute saw that the brothers had created a glider that was far more

advanced and controllable than any others prior and encouraged the Wright brothers to

take a more serious approach.1 The brothers ignored all the prior knowledge in the field

and did all of their own testing and made their own data charts, which ultimately led to

the dream of controlled flight being a reality. December 17th, 1903 marks the Wright

brothers first successful controlled flight.2 They were able to control the craft by pulling

on cables that warped the wings in order to trim the craft and keep it level.3 The flight

lasted just mere seconds but marked the birth of a field that would grow into an empire

and have an enormous impact on todays increasingly globalized world.

The years that followed the Wright brother’s first flight are now recognized as the

“birdman” era of aviation.4 The extent of aviation at this time consisted of innovators

and daredevils doing exhibitions for the public to show the capabilities of planes. Planes

1 Smith, Henry Ladd. Airways. New York: Russell & Russell, 1965.13

2 Smith, Airways.243 Wright, Orville and Wilbur. O & W Wright Flying Machine. Patent 821393. 22 May 1906. Print.4 Smith,35.

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from the birdman era were greatly underpowered and delicate in design. They were

made of thin metal wires and bamboo and mostly powered by engines under 50hp.5 This

era would come to an end as the first World War took the lead in aviation’s advancement.

The military would effectively take control and in a sense colonize the field of aviation

during this time, making it their own and being responsible for its well being and

development. Forward just a few years to 1918 and the airplane was a far more advanced

and reliable machine all in thanks to the military controlling the newly developing

industry. Military planes of 1918 had more than doubled the speed that birdman era

planes were capable of; a mere 60 mph in 1913 to a blistering 130mph in 1918.6

Considerable advancements were made in this crucial stage of aviation that would lead to

the American aviation empire as a whole becoming so widespread and strong. Military

involvement in the field of aviation changed the industry in a number of ways.

One readily apparent way that military involvement changed the field of aviation

and propelled it to empire like status was the rate of change made possibly by

government funding. The rate of change in production numbers, technology, and

infrastructure was increased at an alarming clip once military budgets rather than just

independent companies and inventors backed the industry. For instance in WWI alone

America put a billion and a quarter dollars into the development of aircraft.7 Though

many argue that the money was ill used since aviation had a small impact on WWI a lot

of good was done for the industry because of this increased spending and attention.

Infrastructure was built up at this time, such as airfields, which sored from only 2 before

5 Smith,23.6 Ibid,35.7 Ibid,37.

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military backing to over 40.8 The development of personnel was equally if not a more

important result of military involvement in the industry in WWI. Numbers of trained

aviation officers sored at this time from 55 to 20,000, which would have a lasting effect

on other aviation related industries in post war America. 9 The number of aviation

mechanics was increased as well which had equally important implications for the

industry in Americas post war climate. The industry of aviation took a leap forward at

this time as well. In 1918 alone when the US began utilizing the plane in WWI more

planes were produced in one year than Great Britain had produced throughout all of

WWI.10 The military of WWI chose to colonize the field of aviation, they poured money

into the industry when it was in its infancy with full confidence that it would eventually

be a crucial industry in America and a lethal tool at a time of war.

A lasting effect of the American military’s roll in WWI aviation was the post war

industries that it made possible. With increased aviation infrastructure, personnel, and

technology created in WWI other uses for aviation emerged in the post war climate. Air

mail delivery for instance would make its contribution to the aviation empire and is still

plays a pivotal roll in the American aviation empire of today. Air mail was the first

widespread instance of commercial aviation and the industry was born in the United

States in 1918. The worlds first regular air mail service was from New York to

Washington DC and one round-trip was made a day, six days a week. 11 Its beginnings

are humble as are the rest of aviation’s firsts, however the impact it has left on the empire

8 Smith,40.9 Ibid10 Minority Report, Committee on Military Affairs, United States Senate, April 10, 1918, as reported in “Senate Investigation of the War Department,” Arial Age, Vol. VII, P. 162c(April 15, 1918). 11 Eney, John. "U.S. Air Mail Service – 90th Anniversary." U.S. Air Mail Service. Accessed April 21, 2015. http://www.antiqueairfield.com/features/us_airmail.html.

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of aviation is monumental. The first airmail service was put together using the excess

and undesirable planes the military was no longer interested in. The Jn-4h for instance

was use by the Army Air Service the first few months to deliver the mail.12 Considering

even this early and underfunded airmail service was surprisingly efficient, delivering 93

percent of its mail on schedule. 13 After the Army Air Service delivered the mail quite

successfully for a few months the United States Postal office took over control of the air

mail routes, which marked a huge leap forward in the the empire of aviation; the first

example of commercial aviation.

The USPS further colonized the field of aviation by having a plane designed

specifically to be used in delivering mail. Jenny’s leftover from WWI were put aside and

replaced by the specially designed Jr-1B’s. The Jr-1B and the DH-4Ms were more fit for

the job of carrying mail, and had a cargo load limit of 200 and 500 pounds respectively

which made for a more efficient and capable air mail system.14 Routes expanded

westward as plane technology increased the speed and distance which mail could be

carried. Most importantly however was the effect that the Air Mail Act of 1925 in

particular had on the empire of aviation. The Air Mail Act ultimately led to large scale

commercial passenger airlines being a reality in a number of ways. Firstly the Air Mail

Act privatized certain routes under the belief that the government should not have total

control of the air mail system. One of the most notable early routes to be privatized was

between Chicago, Detroit, and Cleveland and was carried out by none other than Henry

Ford.15 Ford who many know as the famous automaker transferred his innovative and

12 Eney, “U.S. Airmail Service- 90th Anniversary”.13 Smith,59.14 Eney, “U.S. Airmail Service- 90th Anniversary”.15 Eney.

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businessman attitude towards aviation. He hired expert engineers and developed and

constructed an all metal monoplane craft.16 Privatized Contract Air Mail (CAM) had a

huge effect on the empire of aviation, as it fostered advancement in aircraft at a rate far

faster than ever seen before. The rapid advancement was cause by the manner in which

CAM companies were paid for mail deliveries. CAM’s were paid at first by the weigh of

mail they carried, however, this changed to being paid by the volume of their cargo

holds.17 Changing the payment system to volume had a direct effect on the empire of

aviation and through this change commercial passenger airlines were born. Now that

cargo holds on mail planes were becoming larger and larger, seats for paying passengers

were added to many large mail planes giving birth to large scale commercial passenger

airlines.

The development of air mail was important in itself as it still remains an

enormous part of our daily lives and economy, however, the doors that air mail opened

up for other industries was equally important. Commercial passenger airlines spawned

directly from the advancements made as a result of the air mail industry. Furthermore,

commercial airlines first began to colonize the field of aviation in effect as a side

business of airmail fitting passengers alongside mail, or into empty mail planes.

However the US public soon became infatuated with the idea of commercial flight and

advancements made it more and more accessible and practical for the general public.

The airmail industry had certainly colonized aviation and not only created its own

market but spawned a new flourishing market that would have major impacts on aviation

and society as a whole; commercial passenger airlines. From humble beginnings where

16 Ibid.17 Ibid.

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passengers could hope to land one of the few less than luxurious seats aboard a mail

plane, to the current day multi trillion dollar industry commercial passenger airlines have

colonized the field of aviation in their own right and furthermore, led to aviation being a

tool of empire that now reaches each corner of the world.18 When the birth of American

passenger airlines is mentioned one company and one man come to mind. Pan American

Airways is that company, and Juan T. Trippe is that man. Pan American Airways was by

far one of the most influential forces on American aviation and led to many firsts in the

empire of aviation. Pan American Airways was founded in 1927 and would play one of

the most pivotal rolls in American aviation. Pan American was the first commercial

company to fly to a number of destinations outside of the continental United States. The

first of these destinations was South America, using large passenger landplanes and

flying boats.19

Pan American Airways colonization of aviation brought about a great deal of

technological advancement to the empire in the process of developing their

transcontinental fleet. The need for a large plane capable of long strenuous flights led to

further development in the field of aviation. The Pratt and Whitney Twin Wasp engine

was an essential technological breakthrough that was a direct response to transcontinental

flight. This engine was the most advanced powerful and capable of its time, and made

transcontinental flight a reality. Pan American Airways put the engine to use five years

after its development and outfitted their planes in the transpacific fleet with the

workhorse. The engine was built in Hartford Connecticut by the Pratt and Whitney

18 Air Mail Act of 1925 Report [To Accompany H.R. 6511]. 1934.

19 "Pan American Airways." America by Air. Accessed May 9, 2015.

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company and was one of the first air cooled radial engines, boasting fourteen cylinders

and eight hundred horsepower. 20 Aside from mechanical advancements Pan American

Airlines would also make advancements to their crafts that would alter the way customers

flew. The creature comforts outfitted in many of Pan American Airlines’ planes are

luxurious to make most modern flyers envious. The Douglas Sleeper Transport for

instance that Pan Am utilized for transcontinental flights was outfitted with seats that

folded down into comfortable mattresses.21 However impressive the technological

advancements that Pan American Airways were either directly or indirectly behind was

not the most important impact their colonization left on the empire of aviation. More

important was the elimination of economic boundaries as the United States aviation

empire increased its global reach.

Nearly ten years later the company established both transpacific and transatlantic

routes.22 The significance of these three routes goes far beyond Americans being able to

vacation in foreign countries. These routes will lay the foundation for what current day

American aviation has grown into. The importance of these routes is multifaceted in that

it had serious implications for the United States global image, global economy, and

ultimately was the beginning of the industry of aviation truly being a tool of the

American Empire. Commercial flight was becoming more and more accessible at this

time as well as becoming a smart business decision. For instance, it was becoming

financially more effective for a company to send a businessman on a trip using air travel

20 J.M. Shoemaker, T.B. Rhines, H.H. Sargent, Jr., (1935) "The Cooling of Radial Engines: A Further Report on the Research Work of the United Aircraft, Vought and Pratt Whitney Group", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 7 Iss: 11, pp.283 - 28921 Hudson, Kenneth. Air Travel a Social History. Totowa, New Jersey: Rowman and Littlefield, 1972,60.22 “Pan American Airways”.

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apposed to surface travel when the cost of transportation plus the time spent traveling

with pay was considered.23 Perhaps one of the most important events in commercial

flights history to this point was the recognition that the industry and technology had

become advanced enough to be considered safe. No single event demonstrated this more

than when the clause that disallowed celebrities under contract to fly was lifted.24 Now

that commercial flight was not only considered safe, but was becoming more economical

and convenient, new markets were increasingly emerging and the United States was

increasing its global economic reach and power, a key motivating factor for building the

empire of aviation. The world as Americans knew it was essentially shrinking and while

the world shrank, America’s global influence was on the rise.

The United States Federal government also had set its sights on the empire of

aviation and colonized the field in its own way, with legislation that controlled the

emerging field. Federal regulation of commercial aviation had an enormous effect on the

industry. One of the most influential changes in commercial aviation came about when

the federal government began regulating the industry when the creation of the Civil

Aeronautics Act of 1938 established the Civil Aeronautics Board.25 The Civil

Aeronautics Board essentially overran the field of commercial aviation and possessed all

of the power to shape the fields future. Two major changes came about from the creation

of the Civil Aeronautics Board. One change was the Civil Aeronautics Board controlling

23 Hudson, Kenneth, 50.

24 Ibid, 60. 25 Whitnah, Donald Robert. Safer Skyways: Federal Control of Aviation, 1926-1966.

Ames, Iowa: Iowa State University Press, 1966.

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which airlines would fly which routes. 26 This was important because it resulted in well

established airline companies such as Pan American Airways having the upper hand over

less established airlines which only furthered the extent that these major companies

colonized the field. Secondly the Civil Aeronautics Board controlled the fares that

airlines charged. This led to companies competing not by price but by level of comfort

they could provide their passengers, further developing technology in commercial planes.

Though deregulation came some years later in 1968 to allow for competitive ticket prices

the impact left behind from the years of regulation still remains quite apparent.

Though the first commercial flight had taken place a few short years after the

Wright brothers famous flight, airmail had made promising advancements, and big

business like Pan American Airways have contributed greatly to the commercial aspect of

aviation, there was yet another important imperial power on the emerging field; The

Second World War. The rate that aviation advanced during this time was unprecedented.

Hugely capable fighters and bombers were born and the importance of holding the

largest, most advanced air fleet was recognized by the United States, an attitude that

would shape the empire of aviation for years to come.

With the Japanese surprise aerial attack on the United States naval fleet at Pearl

Harbor, the United States rushed full on into the war efforts. The military once again

would colonize aspects of the aviation empire in order to further develop aviation. The

development of World War II propelled American aviation into a period of huge change,

in both technology and numbers of craft and personnel. Control over American wartime

aviation would also change hands a few times during this period, which would prove to

26 "The History of Airline Industry." Travel Tips. Accessed May 11, 2015.

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have long-term effects. The Army Air Forces had performed so well in World War II

that a new branch of the military was created; the United States Air Force. The creation

of a separate branch of military geared towards aviation was a milestone, and marked the

realization that the United States would maintain and improve on the most advanced air

fleet in the world.

1939 Adolf Hitler invades Poland sending the Marine Corps of Aviation into

hyper drive as a precautionary measure. The number of planes and personnel grew at a

steady clip, however it was the Japanese attack on Peal Harbor that led to the next

change. The army took control of American war aviation shortly after the attack creating

the Army Air Force and ramping up production of aircraft tenfold. 27 American aviation

would eventually grow to dominate the war in its last year in both the European and

Pacific fronts. American crafts numbered eighty thousand and Army Air Forces

personnel clocked in at two million three hundred thousand.28

Technological breakthroughs were made on the American empire of aviation

during World War II at unprecedented rates. Wood and fabric biplane fighters of the

First World War were merely a relic of the past and were replaced by all metal single

winged fighters that were extremely capable in speed and maneuverability.29 Couple this

with the fact that they were armed to the teeth with new technology such as remote

controlled guns, pressurized cockpits, and high horsepower engines, and it’s no wonder

27 "Missions Part Two: Air Power Comes of Age in World War II." History Part 2. Accessed May 11, 2015. http://www.airforce.com/learn-about/history/part2/.

28 Missions. 29 "World War II Aviation." World War II Aviation. Accessed May 11, 2015. http://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/WWII-UHC/.

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that the US Army Air Forces reigned supreme in World War II.30 The most capable

bomber was also born out of necessity during WWII; the B-29 Superfortress. The most

infamous B-29 from the war is notably the Enola Gay, responsible for dropping the first

atomic bomb on Japan, effectively leaving Japan no other option but to end the war. The

true show of Americas’ aviation superiority came with the dropping of the atomic bombs

on Japan using B-29 bombers proving that the Unites States was in fact the world’s most

dominant aviation empire. This was a unspoken title that the United States would seek to

maintain from this point forward as it showed superiority over other nations and fueled

the empire with pride and nationalism due to its accomplishments.

Fueled by the desire to remain the head of the empire of aviation coupled with

the inherent need to contain communism led to major advancements in American Air

Force aviation. Communist threat essentially shaped and colonized American aviation

since it directly led to aviation advancements in the name of both defense and offense. A

major aspect of the Cold War was centered around technology dealing with aviation and

the weapons that planes were capable of delivering. The Cold War threat was intensified

when the Soviet Union developed their own atomic and hydrogen bombs and the United

States defense plan relied heavily on aviation which lead to leaps and bounds of

advancement being made.31 The defense strategy of the United States against communist

threat was basically deterrence. By having a large and advanced defense system the

potential communist threat was checked by superior military might especially the United

States mighty Air Force. The triad defense strategy’s cornerstone was in fact rooted in

30 Ibid.31 "Missions Part Three: Countering the Communist Threat During the Cold War." History Part 3. Accessed May 12, 2015. http://www.airforce.com/learn-about/history/part3/.

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aeronautics.32 The Air Force adopted the Strategic Air Command plan as a defense to

issues communism was bringing about. The Strategic Air command put the Air Forces

planes and defense systems in strategic locations which would allow a quick mobilization

and strike if deemed necessary. Out of necessity longer range bombers were created,

which is but one way the communist threat and the Cold War had influenced American

aviation. The bomber that proved most useful in this plan was the long range B-52

Stratofortress. The most highly capable of the B-52’s, it was a technological marvel

brought about by the need for a long range delivery system for large loads of bombs as

well as the atomic bomb. The B-52 Stratofortress was equipped with eight jet engines

and was a crucial component to the United States empire of aviation, certainly born out of

the era were Cold War and communist threat colonized American Aviation. 33

The Cold War also colonized new areas previously unfathomed. The great Space

Race between the Soviet Union and the United States went into full swing when the

Soviet satellite Sputnik was successfully launched.34 The Space Race was an interesting

development because it had colonized American aviation at a level never seen before, it

brought the field to the moon. Development of a capable spaceship and a capable suit

made this possible and the United States empire of aviation had claimed and out of world

territory when Neil Armstrong planted the American flag.35 This event marked the end of

the Space Race, however, did not mark the end of developing NASA further.

32 Ibid.33 "Boeing." : Historical Snapshot: B-52 Stratofortress. Accessed May 12, 2015. http://www.boeing.com/history/products/b-52-stratofortress.page.

34 "NASA Established." History.com. Accessed May 12, 2015.

35 Ibid.

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The effect of all these forces putting their own spin on the American empire of

aviation is incredible. From a global standpoint aviation plays a huge roll as it has shrank

the world by cutting travel and delivery times by so much. Nearly every industry in the

world utilizes aviation in some way shape or form today. The commercial aviation

industry on its own has grown to proportions that dwarf many countries by shear number

of employees. Todays modern aviation industry employs over fifty seven million

people, and generates over two trillion dollars annually.36 No other country benefits more

from all of this global connectedness than the United States, who’s economy is

increasingly becoming dependent on other nations for raw material, assembly,

production, and labor. This level of economic globalization was made possible by the

American empire of aviation.

Like many traditional empires of the past have been tested so has the American

empire of aviation. International law and policy has become a huge part of the empire, as

have threats to the United States directed at the empire of aviation. International

cooperation is also seen however on a high level, much in the way that great emperors of

the past dealt with foreign policy. The international space system is a prime example of

the global connectedness of the empire, and an example of the great things that are

possible when working together. However with how globally connected the empire is,

literally linking to every corner of the world, a number of issues arise. Practices carried

out by the American empire of aviation are also questioned as actions of traditional

36 "Social and Economic Benefits of Aviation - Air Transport Action Group (ATAG)." Social and Economic Benefits of Aviation - Air Transport Action Group (ATAG). Accessed May 12, 2015. http://www.atag.org/our-activities/social-a-economic-benefits-of-aviation.html.

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emperors have been questioned. For instance the use of drones in the middle east to cary

out attacks comes under scrutiny by many. Sickness can spread, as witnessed recently

with the Ebola scare spread from Africa to the United States through air travel. The

empire has also been grossly misused by those wishing to do harm to the United States as

in the case of terrorism, most notably, the 911 hijackings. These issues that arise solidify

American aviation as an empire, as it is subjected to many of the same issues a traditional

empire faces.

American empire of aviation commands respect from all around the world. From

humble beginnings the field had grown into a multifaceted empire that stands as a symbol

of technological and military superiority. Connecting not only people but markets, is a

huge aspect of the American empire of aviation and has benefited the United States

economy greatly. From a defense standpoint the United States Air Force coupled with

Navy installations keep peace throughout the world just by being present in a location. .

Stealth bombers, fighters, and helicopters are now a reality, and are invaluable tools to

the American empire of aviation Many factors have colonized the general field of

American aviation along the way separately and for their own desires and necessities.

Inventors, wars, industries, and consumers have all shaped American aviation and

developed their fields in their own ways however all of these developments have

converged and amassed themselves into a global empire that cannot be ignored. Much

like an empire the American aviation industry as a whole is striving to strengthen itself

and remain at the forefront of industry. Possessing the most powerful and capable Air

Force in the world remains a priority of the American empire of aviation and as one can

see with the rapid rate of current technology the empire will be an enduring one.

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