Iowa Aviation Museum
How have airplanes changed over time?
The size, shape and function of airplanes have changed over time, and Iowans have played a role in the development of flight as we know it today.
Transcript
[Abby Brown] Here in Greenfield, Iowa, we don't have to go to an air show or use binoculars to get a close up look at vintage planes. Nope. There are all sorts of rare planes right here at the Iowa Aviation Museum.
(Map marking Adair County in the southwestern side of the state.)
(A large, modern passenger plane lifts off of the ground.)
The huge passenger jets we see zigzagging their way across the skies today only became comfortable and commonplace in the 1950s. Before that, small planes with only one pilot and maybe one passenger made their way through the skies. Here at the Iowa Aviation Museum, we get to see some of those early, small aircraft.
(A yellow, lightweight, fixed wing, single engine plane with the propeller mounted in the front.)
(An orange, lightweight, with yellow fixed wings, single engine plane with a wooden propeller mounted on the front.)
Some of these planes are even one of a kind. In this plane, we can see wicker seats. Wicker is lightweight. Can you guess why they were included in an airplane?
Some of the planes even show the personalities of their pilots. Like this one. There's a little note inside that says, “Don't do anything dumb.”
This museum also houses the Iowa Aviation Hall of Fame dedicated to Iowans who had an impact on the history of flight. Like Ellen Church Marshall, a school nurse, born and raised in Cresco, Iowa, became the world's first flight attendant in 1930 when she pitched the idea to a major airline company. She thought placing nurses on board planes would make passengers more comfortable and willing to fly.
The Hall of Fame, unique aircraft and interesting memorabilia here help all of us recognize how much Iowa has contributed to air travel.
(On the side of an orange plane is a circle emblem that reads “Tri-State Airlines, Sioux City, Iowa, Established 1929.”)
(Inside a glass case are displayed historical artifacts including, LIFE magazine covers, historical photos and an action figure of “Rosie the Riveter.”)
(A lightweight, fixed wing, single engine plane is painted blue with a large yellow stripe in the center. A wooden propeller is attached to the front of the plane.)
Our history takes flight in every county in Iowa. I hope you had fun exploring the skies, right here on the ground in Adair County.
Funding for FIND Iowa has been provided by The Coons Foundation, Pella and the Gilchrist Foundation.