Collection Guide
Collection Title:
Collection Number:
Get Items:
Pan American Airways Collection
SDASM.SC.10239
No online items
View entire collection guide
Search this collection
Table of contents
Contributing Institution:
San Diego Air and Space Museum Library and Archives
Title: The Descriptive Finding Guide for Pan American Airways Collection
Creator:
Rodina, Matthew
Identifier/Call Number: SDASM.SC.10239
Physical Description:
1.2 Cubic Feet
The collection contains materials related to the early history of Pan American Airways. The material includes information
on the first flights, aircrafts used, airline acquisitions and mergers, correspondence, and personal papers of people related
to Pan Am. The collection includes documents, correspondence, manuals, training booklets, corporate literature, books, and
news articles and clippings. A large part of this collection is research material gathered by Matthew Rodina, an aviation
historian and enthusiast, primarily from the University of Miami's Pan American Archives and consists mostly of photocopies
of original documents.
This is a two box collection measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5". The collection has been organized into series and within that, chronologically.
Date (bulk): 1927-1991
Abstract: Pan American Airways, one of the largest international airlines in the US, operated from 1927-1991, and pioneered several
features of modern air travel. Founded in 1927, when the US post office requested bids on a contract to deliver mail from
Florida to Cuba, Pan American won with the highest bid, but didn't have the resources they needed to make the flight. They
combined with competing airline, Aviation Corporation of the Americas which owned the landing rights in Havana, and this merger
created the Pan American Airlines that would become one of the most famous airlines in history. This collection highlights
some of the company's history.
Physical Description: Description: This is a two box collection measuring 16.25x12.5x10.5". The collection has been organized into series and within
that, chronologically.
Language of Material:
English
.
Some materials may be subject to copyright, please contact the Archivist for details.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The materials in this collection were donated to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The collection has been processed and is
open for research with no restrictions.
The Pan American Airways Collection from the Library & Archives of the San Diego Air & Space Museum.
Pan American Airways, one of the largest international airlines in the US, operated from 1927-1991, and pioneered several
features of modern air travel. Founded in 1927, when the US post office requested bids on a contract to deliver mail from
Florida to Cuba, Pan American won with the highest bid, but didn't have the resources they needed to make the flight. They
combined with competing airline, Aviation Corporation of the Americas which owned the landing rights in Havana, and this merger
created the Pan American Airlines that would become one of the most famous airlines in history. An important figure in this
merger was Juan Trippe, a World War I naval aviator and entrepreneur, who formed the Aviation Corporation of the Americas,
and would go on to be the operational head of Pan American Airways.
Beginning as a mail carrier between Key West, Florida and Havana, Cuba, it was not until 1928 that the first passenger service
began. By the 1950s, Pan Am offered "around the world" flights, and was known for luxurious and comfortable service. Some
key milestones for Pan Am include the inauguration of the first transpacific flights (from San Francisco to Manila) in 1936,
with the famous China Clipper; the first transatlantic flights (from New York City to Lisbon) in 1939, with the Yankee Clipper,
and the first round-the-world flights (from New York to New York eastbound) in 1947.
At one point, Charles Lindbergh, employed as a pilot for Pan Am, surveyed new routes for the company. Their famous "Clipper"
planes, referred to as flying boats, were the first to carry air passengers around the globe, and Pan Am would eventually
lead the aircraft industry into the Jet Age by acquiring new jetliners such as the Boeing 707 and Boeing 747.
Through the years Pan Am acquired and absorbed many other airlines and was principal air carrier for much of its career, but
by the beginning of January 1991, Pan Am was dealing with bankruptcy and ceased operations Dec. 4 1991.
Content notes: The collection contains materials related to the early history of Pan American Airways. The material includes
information on the first flights, aircrafts used, airline acquisitions and mergers, correspondence, and personal papers of
people related to Pan Am. The collection includes documents, correspondence, manuals, training booklets, corporate literature,
books, and news articles and clippings. A large part of this collection is research material gathered by Matthew Rodina, an
aviation historian and enthusiast, primarily from the University of Miami's Pan American Archives and consists mostly of photocopies
of original documents.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Pan American World Airways, Inc.
Martin 130
Sikorsky S-42
Boeing 314
China Clipper
Atlantic Clipper
Aircraft Corporation of America
Colonial Air Transport
Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus)
Trippe, Juan
Priester, Andre A.
Keeler, Ray E.
Boyle, John