Amelia Earhart was easily one of the most famous women of the 20th century, taking to the skies to break records that many airmen and women still find impressive. Known for her incredible skill, talent, and bravery, she has been an inspiration for generations of men and women. But how much do you know about this aviation icon? Here are some fun facts about Amelia Earhart.
1. Earhart was born at the turn of the century.
Amelia Earhart was born Amelia Mary Earhart on July 24th, 1897. She was born in Atchison, Kansas, in the US. As such, she’s regarded as one of the most influential American women of all time.
2. She was always destined to head to the skies.
Amelia Earhart developed an early interest in aviation. She took her very first plane ride in 1920, which started her passion for flying – barely two decades after the Wright Brothers first flew!
3. Earhart created and held multiple impressive flight records.
One of the reasons Amelia Earhart remains famous to this day is due to the fact that she set multiple aviation records! Some of her most impressive records include being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in 1932 – she flew solo nonstop across the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Ireland.
The famous aeroplane Amelia Earhart used for the Atlantic solo flight was a Lockheed Vega 5B. She nicknamed it “The Friendship.”
5. She broke records as a passenger, too.
Believe it or not, Earhart also broke records as a flight passenger! In 1928, she became the first woman ever to fly across the Atlantic as a passenger in a Fokker F.VIIb/3m. Remember, flight was still very new during Earhart’s youth – meaning she had tons of opportunities to create records.
6. Earhart was also an accomplished author.
Amelia Earhart was also a keen author. She wrote several books about her flying experiences, including “20 Hrs. 40 Min.” and “The Fun of It.” You can still borrow and buy her books in print to this day!
7. She was a proud feminist.
As you might imagine, being a woman in a male-dominated industry, Amelia Earhart was indeed a proud feminist. She was also an advocate for women’s rights, encouraging women to pursue careers in non-traditional fields, such as aviation.
8. She found employment in education outside of aviation.
As if being a talented pilot and author wasn’t enough, Amelia Earhart also worked at a university! She was a faculty member at Purdue University and was an advisor on women’s career opportunities in aviation.
9. No-one knows Earhart’s ultimate fate.
Sadly, one of the most famous things about Amelia Earhart is her disappearance. During her most famous flight, her attempt to circumnavigate the planet in 1937, she and her navigator, Fred Noonan, mysteriously disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Neither was ever found, and the mystery remains unsolved to this day.
10. You can visit a museum dedicated to Earhart’s amazing exploits.
There is a museum in Cleveland, Ohio, which is dedicated to preserving the history of women in aviation and space. Of course, it includes exhibits on Amelia Earhart, her accomplishments, and her legacy, which continues to inspire women in all fields and aviators everywhere.
FAQs about Amelia Earhart
Was Amelia Earhart’s aeroplane ever found?
Despite there being large-scale expeditions looking for any proof of her loss, there was never any evidence found of Amelia Earhart’s aeroplane. To this day, the aeroplane and every component of it remains lost.
Where was Amelia Earhart when she got lost?
Although no one knows where exactly Amelia Earhart got lost, experts believe that she was somewhere north of her destination, Howland Island. To this day, it remains the likeliest answer, although the chances are that we may never truly know.
What made Amelia Earhart disappear?
It is believed that Amelia Earhart and her co-pilot experienced bad weather during their flight and used up their entire supply of fuel. That is what made them crash land in the ocean, although, again, no one knows for sure what led to the disappearance nor where they went.
Further reading:
https://facts.uk/tag/Aviation
https://www.ameliaearhart.com/
https://www.biography.com/history-culture/amelia-earhart
Do you know any interesting facts about Amelia Earhart? Share them in the comments below!