Existing comment:
Significant Achievements in Flight:
The College Park Airfield is one of the most significant fields in aviation history. It has played host to many of the most notable aviators and inventors in the aviation field included the Wright Brothers, Glenn Curtiss, Frank Lahm, Frederic Humphreys, Benny Foulois, Lincoln Beachy, Tony Jannus, "Hap" Arnold, Tommy Milling, Al Welsh, Charles Chandler, Henry and Emile Berliner, Rex Smith and George Brickerhoff, just to name a handful.
As a result of its association with the Wright brothers and early military aviation, this field was witness to numerous significant firsts and other achievements in flight. Inventors were encouraged to bring any inventions that could be utilized with a flying machine to the (first) Army Aviation School when it was set up in 1911. Those that were successful became forever linked with the field's history -- such as the development and testing of the first bomb dropping device and the first testing of a machine gun from an aeroplane.
Other remarkable accomplishments and firsts were vital components to the development and growth of aviation and the future of flight. These achievements include the development of the first US Postal Air Mail Service (1918-1921), the successful experiments with vertical flight by the Berliner helicopter (1920-1924), and the development and testing of the first radio navigational aides (1927-1934).
There are other wonderful stories, personalities, and adventures too numerous to mention. The fascinating history of this field is one of both tragedy and triumph, perseverance and success. Is it, above all, the story of the history and achievements of flight and how they relate to this significant airfield in College Park. |