Harriet Quimby Becomes the First Woman to Fly Across the English Channel
Harriet Quimby, an American aviator, made history on April 16, 1912, by becoming the first woman to fly across the English Channel, a significant milestone in early aviation. Born on May 11, 1875, in Michigan, Quimby transitioned from a career in journalism to aviation after being inspired by a plane race in 1910. She earned her pilot's license in 1911, becoming the first woman in the United States to do so. With ambition to establish her legacy, Quimby secured funding and borrowed an aircraft from French engineer Louis Blériot to undertake her historic flight from Dover to Hardelot, France. Despite the skepticism surrounding her venture, she successfully completed the 22-mile journey in approximately one hour, although her achievement was somewhat overshadowed by the Titanic disaster occurring just a day prior. Tragically, Quimby's life was cut short later that year in July during an aviation exhibition in Boston, where she died in a plane accident. Recognized as a trailblazer in both aviation and women's history, Quimby continues to be honored for her contributions, including being featured on a U.S. airmail stamp in 1991.
Harriet Quimby Becomes the First Woman to Fly Across the English Channel
Harriet Quimby Becomes the First Woman to Fly Across the English Channel
On April 16, 1912, American aviator Harriet Quimby became the first woman ever to fly across the English Channel, the narrow strait of water that separates England from France. Although by modern standards this would be a short, routine hop, at the dawn of aviation, less than a decade after the airplane itself had been invented, it was a remarkable feat. Harriet Quimby's flight was a pioneering achievement for aviation in general and for women in particular, and her daring inspired other female aviators.
Quimby was born on May 11, 1875, near Coldwater, Michigan. She began her professional life as a journalist in California and then secured a position as drama critic and editor for Leslie's Illustrated Weekly in New York City. Her short but remarkable career as an aviator commenced in 1910, after she watched an airplane race to the Statue of Liberty and back. Inspired by the sight, she began taking flying lessons, and on August 1, 1911, became the first woman in the United States to receive a pilot's license. After an exhibition in Mexico, Quimby came up with the idea of making a name for herself by flying across the English Channel. She got financing from her employer, who also arranged for her to meet with the French aircraft engineer Louis Blériot.
She convinced Blériot to lend her one of his aircraft, had it shipped to England, and on the morning of April 16, 1912, took off from Dover, on the English side of the Channel. Most people expected her to fail—indeed, a male flyer who had helped her prepare for the flight was so convinced she would be killed that he offered to dress up in her signature purple jumpsuit and pilot the plane himself (she turned him down). In a flight lasting approximately one hour she made the 22-mile trip through foggy skies and landed safely in Hardelot, France. Her achievement was widely publicized, although somewhat overshadowed in the press by the sinking of the Titanic the day before.
Sadly, Quimby was killed only a few months later in a freak accident. On July 1, 1912, she was flying in an aviation exhibition at Boston, Massachusetts, when her plane suddenly bucked and nosed down. There were no safety restraints incorporated into cockpits at that time, and she and her passenger were both thrown from the aircraft to their deaths. (Ironically, the plane then leveled off and glided to a landing.) Quimby has been honored as a pioneer in aviation and women's achievements. She is portrayed on a 1991 U.S. airmail stamp.