Accustomed as we are to all manner of flying airships, it may be hard to imagine the mania that gripped the country with the appearance of airplanes.
Pilots were popular heroes – and were accorded a special place in the affection and admiration of the population.
(Lindbergh’s dramatic transatlantic flight made him famous and beloved internationally with a fervor that eclipsed almost every other public figure.)
Walter Brookins was born in Dayton, Ohio and came to the attention of the Wright Brothers because his school teacher was Katherine Wright, sister of the aeronautic pioneers.
An avid flying enthusiast, young Brookins was given a few hours training and began flying aircraft.
He was both an intuitive and a scientific flier – and he pioneered many techniques and adaptations to aircraft.
He was the first student of the Wright brothers, and became an instructor in their company.
But he was also a showman and a risk -taker.
His air shows drew enormous crowds such as his demonstration in Chicago in 1910.
I found this postcard photograph of Brookins in Chicago – “Brookins in His Aeroplane over Chicago Yacht Club House and Grant Park”.
The postcard was published by the V. O. Hamman Publishing Company of Chicago, soon after the event.
Unfortunately, the postcard was not mailed – a postmark from a day close to Brookins’ flight would be valuable to collectors.
The postcard was given to a child named Phil.
The message on the reverse expresses regret that the sender could not present a real airplane to the boy, but assures him that he might have one “when you grow big…”.
On-line, one can find easily a first-hand account of the Brookins exhibition from the “Chicago Examiner”.
Despite the hazardous occupation of Walter Brookins, he died peacefully at home in California in April of 1953.
He was 64 years old.
The postcard was given to a child named Phil.
The message on the reverse expresses regret that the sender could not present a real airplane to the boy, but assures him that he might have one “when you grow big…”.
On-line, one can find a first-hand account of Brookins’ flying exhibition that was published in the “Chicago Examiner”.
Despite the hazardous occupation of Walter Brookins, he died peacefully at home in California in April of 1953.
He was 64 years old.
