Airway route map of U.S.

1935

This 1930s map illustrates airmail routes, marked in bold red stripes. The routes span the United States and reach into Canada and Cuba. The map was presented by Henry Woodhouse, a colorful figure in early aviation history, to Benjamin B. Lipsner. Lipsner had served in the U.S. Army, where he reached the rank of captain. He assisted Major Reuben Fleet with the organization of the first regularly scheduled airmail service in May 1918. When the Post Office Department took full control in August 1918, Lisper resigned from the army and was named first superintendent of the airmail service.