Editor’s note: Amid the current pandemic, countless flights have been cancelled, and much of the airline industry has ground to a halt. In this installment of “News That Was Actually Published”, we look at some coverage of commercial aviation from 100 years ago — before there was real indication that the industry had staying power.

Texas And California Lead In Commercial Aviation Projects, Manufacturers’ Report Reveals


NEW YORK. July 27. — Commercial aviation In the United States shows a healthy, steadily growing popularity, says the Manufactuers (sic) Aircraft association, in making public the report of representatives who have Just completed a tour of the country which Included inspection flights over most of the territory now served by aerial transport.


“The aidplane (sic) is undergoing the same development experienced by other vehicles of transportation introduced to the public, the various sections of the country according it receptions in conformance with their individual topography, customs and natural resources.” the report said.


“The southwest and Pacific coast are leading in the adaption of aircraft to commercial use, and plans in preparation contemplate honeycombing that area with a network of aerial transportation lines. In the middle west the airplane is being adopted as the occasion demands, and it is meeting with encouraging success the severe competition of good railroads and highways, lack of land ing fields and the considerable indifference of the middle Atlantic states. New England is accepting it with customary conservatism; the south is using it mainly for private purposes, and Florida and the West Indies have come to recognize flying as a most important method of communication.

“At present there are in the United States 15 manufacturers of aircraft and aircraft motors and 85 manufacturers of accessories. During the past few months 20 new airplane distributing agencies have been established throughout the country and new aerial transport operating companies have been formed in New York city, San Francisco, Long Beach, Hollywood. Los Angeles, Oakland, Stockton and Alameda, Calif; Shreveport, La; Ponca City, Okla.; Seattle and Spokane. Wash.; Detroit. Mich.; Arkansas City, Ark.; Bridgeport. Conn.; Aurora, Ill.; Fargo, N. D.; Cincinnatti (sic). O.; Newell, S.D.; Birmingham, Ala,; Asbury Park. N. J; Livingston, Vt.; Brooklyn and Syracuse, N. Y., and Bahway, N. J.

Long Routes Planned.


“Aviators are convinced of the practicability of establishing passenger and express lines throughout the entire Pacific coast, which, roughly speaking, consists of two great mountain ranges and series of valleys. The plans for such lines, now in preparation, contemplate connecting San Francisco with Los Angeles, San Francisco with Del Monte, San Francisco with Portland, Ore, over the Cascade range, and Portland with Tacoma and Seattle, “Wash., with an almost certain extension of this operation between San Francisco and Los Angeles and a seaplane mall and package express line between Seattle and British Columbian points will begin operations within a few weeks.


“At present there are some 150 airplanes in commercial use in California and 50 more in Oregon and Washington, white a number equal to that of California are in operation in Texas. Most ot the machines are privately operated by persons who made fortunes in oil, but contracts recently were let for aircraft to be used in transporting supplies between cities and the oil fields. Mining and oil companies desiring emergency supplies or the replacement of special tools have come to depend on the airplane, which, with the level lands and natural landing fields of the country and long distances over which the railroads are unable to make quick time, has provided an impetus to commercial adoption of the airplane in Texas.

“A score of flying boats are in operation on the Mississippi and other rivers of the middle west, and 15 on Lake Michigan, with every indication pointing to a substantial Increase of the number before winter. Negotiations, also are under way for ten American built flying boats of the recently produced 12 and 18 passenger type for use over the great lakes and the St. Lawrence river.

“Two companies that last winter operated a flying boat service from Florida and Bimini, Havana and Nassau, and carried more than 8000 passengers, are now employing between ten and 15 machines in a fairly regular service between New York, Boston and Atlantic City. Both of these operating companies have been financially successful and have announced that they will double their equipment this winter.”

Originally published in the El Paso Herald (July 27, 1920)