Amelia Earhart

Famed aviatrix Amelia Earhart came to Purdue in 1935 after meeting Purdue President Edward C. Elliott at a luncheon in New York, at a time when Elliott was seeking to attract more women to the university. Earhart served as a career counselor for women students during the 1935-36 school year. Earhart was interested in Purdue because of its airport and the university's early research in aeronautical engineering. After Earhart expressed the desire to pilot a flying laboratory, the Purdue Research Foundation became the depository for monetary donations from friends and manufacturers. The university then used the funds to purchase her twin-engine Lockheed 10-E Electra, and she was given use of the airport as a base for her world flight. Earhart was expected to publish a book on her research, with the proceeds from the book and research to be put toward further aeronautical research. Amelia Earhart Biography Amelia Earhart was born on July 24, 1897, in Atchison, Kansas. From her earliest childhood days, she demonstrated an attitude of daring and confidence. In January of 1921, at the age of 23, Amelia had her first flying lesson. By July 24 of that same year, she had become the proud owner of a new Kinner Airster Aircraft. In October of 1922, Amelia set an unofficial Women's Altitude Record of 14,000 feet. Amelia's flying was constantly hampered by her lack of funds; she worked many jobs to enable her to fly. In 1924, Amelia's parents divorced; she sold her airplane, bought a car, and took her mother back to the east coast. During these years, she held a variety of jobs as a teacher, nursing assistant, photographer, secretary and social worker. She even bought a truck and hauled gravel. All of this work was undertaken in an effort to fulfill her desire to fly. Amelia's fame began in 1928; she was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic. She did so as a passenger in a Fokker F7, named the Friendship. The trip was plagued with problems, including weather and marginal fuel reserves. After a flight of 20 hours and 40 minutes, the Friendship successfully landed at Burry Port, Wales. Amelia Earhart was immediately an international hero. Amelia continued to set records. She acquired a Lockheed Vega, powered by a Pratt & Whitney engine and in 1929 competed in the first Women's Air Derby, flying from Santa Monica, California, to Cleveland, Ohio. In 1930, Amelia set a women's speed record of 181.18 mph over a three-kilometer course, and acquired a Transport Pilot's license. In 1931, she became the first person to set an altitude record of 18,451 feet, in an Autogiro, and then completed a solo transcontinental flight in an Autogiro for the Beechnut Nutrition Corporation. Amelia Earhart constantly worked toward the advancement of women in aviation, and believed strongly in the viability of commercial aviation. In 1930, Amelia worked with Gene Vidal and Paul Collins to form a new airline that offered shuttle service between New York, Washington, and Philadelphia. She was the Aviation Editor for Cosmopolitan Magazine, wrote many articles, lectured, and continued to work for the advancement of goals which she held important. She was instrumental in the formation of an organization for the advancement of women pilots called "The Ninety-Nines." This international organization is very active today, with over 7,000 members worldwide. In 1932, on the fifth anniversary of Lindbergh's flight, Amelia Earhart, in her Lockheed Vega, became the second person and the first woman to successfully solo across the Atlantic. Amelia Earhart landed near Londonderry, Northem Ireland, after flying 2,026 miles in 14 hours and 54 minutes. For this daring flight, Amelia was the first woman awarded The Cross of the Legion of Honor by France, and The Cross of Chevalier of the Order of Leopold by Belgium, as well as many other honors in Europe. At home in the United States, she was the first woman awarded the National Geographic Gold Medal for her contribution to the science of aviation; President Herbert Hoover made the presentation. The majority of the Presidential Cabinet, Members of Congress, and dignitaries from more than 20 foreign countries attended the ceremony. The next day, Amelia Earhart became the first woman awarded the Air Force Distinguished Flying Cross, presented to her by Congress before a joint session of The Senate and The House of Representatives. After her 1932 trans-Atlantic flight, Amelia continued to set records. She became the first person to fly solo, non-stop from Honolulu, Hawaii, to Oakland, Califomia. She was the first person to fly solo from Los Angeles, Califomia, to Mexico City (by official invitation of the Mexican govemment) and from Mexico City to Newark, New Jersey. She traveled across the United States speaking to men's professional organizations, women's luncheons, and school children. She was employed as a counselor at Purdue University to assist women choosing careers in engineering and mechanics. March 17, 1937, Amelia Eartlart departed Oakland, Califomia, for Honolulu, Hawaii in a Lockheed Electra 1OE, on the first leg of her record-setting attempt to circumnavigate the world at its longest point, westward along the Equator. This flight set a new record between Oakland and Honolulu - 15 hours and 47 minutes. The Electra was damaged during takeoff from Honolulu on the start of the second leg. Amelia was greatly disappointed; she had failed in front of the entire world, and was plagued with a severe lack of funds to repair her plane. However, she was determined and courageous, and did not give up. Amelia returned the Electra to the Lockheed factory for repairs. Her supporters were many. Lockheed employees volunteered to work overtime without pay to repair the plane. On May 20, 1937, Amelia Earhart departed from Oakland, again. Her second attempt was flown eastward due to weather patterns in the Atlantic at that time of year. Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, completed 22,000 miles and 23 legs of the 29,000 mile trip. On July 2, 1937, they disappeared on the leg from Lae, New Guinea, to Howland Island. To the Purdue Aviation Celebration Page To the Purdue News and Photos Page