Launch of First Airmail Service - May 15, 1918

This historical photograph captures a significant moment in aviation and postal history: the launch of the first airmail service on May 15, 1918. The image features key figures from the early days of the aviation industry and the U.S. Postal Service, all gathered to commemorate this pioneering effort. Among them are Alan Hawley, president of the Aero Club of America; Henry Woodhouse, then-governor of the same club; and Thomas Patton, who served as New York City Postmaster at the time. Their presence signifies the blend of innovation and government support that was crucial for the development of aerial mail transport.

The beginnings of airmail service came about during World War I, as the U.S. sought efficient ways to deliver mail quickly across the nation. These men played a vital role in establishing the framework for what would become a revolutionary method of communication. The photograph also includes a representative from Hamilton Watch Co. and Lieutenant Torrey Webb, reflecting the collaboration between various sectors in this groundbreaking project. This initiative laid the groundwork for modern air travel and mail delivery, changing how people connected and communicated in the years that followed.