Articles from Missouri Historical Review and Missouri Times
- Kennedy, J.P. "Frederick W. Niedermeyer: A Missouri Aviator."
Missouri Historical Review 67 (July 1973): 548-575. - Leyerzapf, James W. "Aviation Promotion in Kansas City: 1925-1931."
Missouri Historical Review 66 (January 1972): 246-267. - Reilly, Thomas "Tom Benoist: Pioneer Early Bird of St. Louis."
Missouri Historical Review 98 (October 1997): 45-60.
"Transportation: Wings in the Sky."
Missouri Historical Review 63 (April 1969): 414-416.
Catalog
Many of the State Historical Society’s holdings are included in the SHSMO online catalog. The State Historical Society holds numerous books on the history and study of literature in Missouri, the Midwest, and the United States. The broadest terms to search are "aviation," "air travel," or the specific author of any work. For a more specific search in Missouri, simply add the subject term "Missouri" to your search.
Digital Collections
- TWA Skyliner - The publication that knits the TWA story together is the in-house company magazine, TWA Skyliner. Published from 1929-2002, it reported on the airline and its staff, as well as the company's role in Missouri and national and international changes within the airline industry. The Society's collection offers issues from 1929 to the last issue in 2002.
Historic Missourian Biographies
- Tom Benoist - Tom Benoist was an aviation pioneer. He was involved in all aspects of the industry and helped make St. Louis a center of American aviation. An airplane pilot, flight instructor, designer, marketer, and manufacturer, he also operated the world's first scheduled airline. Involved in aviation for less than ten years before his untimely death, Benoist's influence on the field was significant for both Missouri and the nation.
- Charles Lindbergh - Charles Lindbergh was a famous aviator. In 1927 he became the first man to fly an airplane across the Atlantic Ocean. A St. Louis resident, he called his airplane the Spirit of St. Louis, and his courageous feat helped make Missouri a leader in the developing world of aviation.
Manuscripts
The State Historical Society of Missouri's manuscript collections include materials related to air transportation such as squadron records, papers of individuals in the transportation industry, and professional and trade organization records. Among the holdings are the Trans World Airlines Records as well as a variety of personal collections related to pilots, attendants, ground crew, and office staff. These records contain publications, accident reports, personnel files, and aircraft specifications. Of particular interest is the publication TWA Skyliner.