During the Exhibition Era of aviation (1907-1915) early aviators
thrilled large crowds with their flying feats, “aeroplanes”
still being a novelty. At least 5500 exhibitions took place in
the U. S. during those years, where flyers competed in various
events, including take-off and landing and altitude records.
The greatest event of the era was the 1911 International Aviation
Meet at Grant Park, Chicago, pictured above in a postcard from
the Society’s collection. From August 12-20 huge crowds
came to witness the spectacle. The large plane at the center
is a Curtiss pusher, such as A. P. Warner flew in 1909.