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[QT: OHIO, ALLAHABAD, AIRMAIL]
1/54
For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.
By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.
![[QT: OHIO, ALLAHABAD, AIRMAIL]1/54For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eue-zwBVoAEvojd.jpg "[QT: OHIO, ALLAHABAD, AIRMAIL]1/54For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.")
![[QT: OHIO, ALLAHABAD, AIRMAIL]1/54For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Eue-0RXUYAQaWTY.jpg "[QT: OHIO, ALLAHABAD, AIRMAIL]1/54For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.")
1/54
For some fun but unrelated background, we'll start with America. The year is 1910, seven years since Orville Wright's first flight into aviation history.
By now, flying is to the Wrights what driving would be to us later.
2/54
Enter Max Morehouse, an aviation enthusiast and a reasonably influential businessman in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, Morehouse ran Rowland, Morehouse and Martens Company, one of the largest modern departmental stores selling high-end merchandise in the city.
Enter Max Morehouse, an aviation enthusiast and a reasonably influential businessman in Columbus, Ohio. At the time, Morehouse ran Rowland, Morehouse and Martens Company, one of the largest modern departmental stores selling high-end merchandise in the city.
3/54
Actually wait, before we go any further with Morehouse, let's talk a bit more about the Wrights.
Over the past seven years, the brothers had built several more Wright Flyers. But to make any money out of'em, they needed to make more...pilots.
So they had an idea.
Actually wait, before we go any further with Morehouse, let's talk a bit more about the Wrights.
Over the past seven years, the brothers had built several more Wright Flyers. But to make any money out of'em, they needed to make more...pilots.
So they had an idea.
4/54
In March 1910, one of the world's earliest flying schools, the Wright School of Aviation took flight. This was at an open field near Montgomery, Alabama. We still know the site as the Maxwell Air Force Base.
The first batch of trained pilots had graduated by summer.
In March 1910, one of the world's earliest flying schools, the Wright School of Aviation took flight. This was at an open field near Montgomery, Alabama. We still know the site as the Maxwell Air Force Base.
The first batch of trained pilots had graduated by summer.
5/54
Now it was time to showcase the skills in order to attract further traction for the idea of flying. This was imperative because at the time, the layman still viewed human flight with a generous amount of suspicion and dread. Someone had to demonstrate how safe it was.
Now it was time to showcase the skills in order to attract further traction for the idea of flying. This was imperative because at the time, the layman still viewed human flight with a generous amount of suspicion and dread. Someone had to demonstrate how safe it was.
6/54
To that end, the Wright Exhibition Team was formed. The idea was to have a select group of star pilots go town to town performing public flight exhibitions to inject confidence. These exhibits would also serve as a secondary revenue stream through ticket sales.
To that end, the Wright Exhibition Team was formed. The idea was to have a select group of star pilots go town to town performing public flight exhibitions to inject confidence. These exhibits would also serve as a secondary revenue stream through ticket sales.
7/54
Now we come to Morehouse.
One October morning, the Wrights received a letter addressed to the Wright Exhibition Company. It was from Max Morehouse.
In it, Morehouse had requested to airlift a bolt of silk ribbons from Dayton and drop them off in Columbus.
Now we come to Morehouse.
One October morning, the Wrights received a letter addressed to the Wright Exhibition Company. It was from Max Morehouse.
In it, Morehouse had requested to airlift a bolt of silk ribbons from Dayton and drop them off in Columbus.
8/54
Every October, Morehouse ran an annual autumn sale at his Columbus store and silk ribbons were a big attraction there. Coincidentally, Columbus was also the site of a Wrights exhibition in 1910. So he thought of riding this spectacle to maximize press coverage.
Every October, Morehouse ran an annual autumn sale at his Columbus store and silk ribbons were a big attraction there. Coincidentally, Columbus was also the site of a Wrights exhibition in 1910. So he thought of riding this spectacle to maximize press coverage.
9/54
Morehouse' request involved a certain amount of aerial acrobatics over Columbus along with the original transport assignment. The Wrights readily agreed as it'd garner them much attention too.
Everything in place, the flight took off at 10:45 on November 7.
Morehouse' request involved a certain amount of aerial acrobatics over Columbus along with the original transport assignment. The Wrights readily agreed as it'd garner them much attention too.
Everything in place, the flight took off at 10:45 on November 7.
10/54
It was a Wright Model B and carried a 200-pound payload. All silk. The flight path traced the Dayton-Columbus railroad line over a distance of 70 miles. Landing shortly before noon, the sole person on the flight, the pilot, was greeted by a crowd of over 3,000.
It was a Wright Model B and carried a 200-pound payload. All silk. The flight path traced the Dayton-Columbus railroad line over a distance of 70 miles. Landing shortly before noon, the sole person on the flight, the pilot, was greeted by a crowd of over 3,000.
11/54
The whole operation cost Morehouse an eye-popping $5,000 in 1910 money. But the bet proved so successful he broke even in less than three days.
November 7 went down in history as not only the day of the first cargo flight ever but also the first chartered service.
The whole operation cost Morehouse an eye-popping $5,000 in 1910 money. But the bet proved so successful he broke even in less than three days.
November 7 went down in history as not only the day of the first cargo flight ever but also the first chartered service.
12/54
So this was the story of history's first air cargo. But the first ever airmail service was still three months and 8,000 miles away. Before we get to it, though, we need to go back first. Back to the year of Orville Wright's first flight. Actually, let's go further.
1898.
So this was the story of history's first air cargo. But the first ever airmail service was still three months and 8,000 miles away. Before we get to it, though, we need to go back first. Back to the year of Orville Wright's first flight. Actually, let's go further.
1898.
13/54
Remember the race to the Moon between the Americans and the Russians? A similar race was in play between America and France at the dawn of the 20th century. This one was about powered flights. Whoever conquered the skies, would win this round.
Remember the race to the Moon between the Americans and the Russians? A similar race was in play between America and France at the dawn of the 20th century. This one was about powered flights. Whoever conquered the skies, would win this round.
14/54
Spearheading the French side of things was a lawyer and flight enthusiast named Ernest Archdeacon. Having completed his first balloon flight in 1883, a century since the Montgolfier brothers' first, Archdeacon was determined to make France the first to tame the skies.
Spearheading the French side of things was a lawyer and flight enthusiast named Ernest Archdeacon. Having completed his first balloon flight in 1883, a century since the Montgolfier brothers' first, Archdeacon was determined to make France the first to tame the skies.
15/54
To that end, he founded the Aéro-Club de France, still the apex body of sports aviation in the country, in 1898. The mission was "to encourage aerial locomotion."
The following year, the club announced a prize of 100,000 francs to stir things up.
To that end, he founded the Aéro-Club de France, still the apex body of sports aviation in the country, in 1898. The mission was "to encourage aerial locomotion."
The following year, the club announced a prize of 100,000 francs to stir things up.
16/54
This prize was for anyone who could complete a round trip flight from Saint-Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in under half an hour. You can cycle that distance in half an hour today but back then, it was no mean feat to accomplish flying.
This prize was for anyone who could complete a round trip flight from Saint-Cloud to the Eiffel Tower and back in under half an hour. You can cycle that distance in half an hour today but back then, it was no mean feat to accomplish flying.
17/54
Did you know that just like a father of everything else, there's a "father of avionics" too? And did you know it isn't either of the Wrights?
That title goes, instead, to a French-American civil engineer by the name Octave Chanute.
Did you know that just like a father of everything else, there's a "father of avionics" too? And did you know it isn't either of the Wrights?
That title goes, instead, to a French-American civil engineer by the name Octave Chanute.
18/54
Chanute didn't invent flying machines, he mentored those who did. The Wrights couldn't have achieved any of it without both technical and commercial help from this man.
In 1901, an article by Chanute showed up in the June issue of Revue Scientifique.
Chanute didn't invent flying machines, he mentored those who did. The Wrights couldn't have achieved any of it without both technical and commercial help from this man.
In 1901, an article by Chanute showed up in the June issue of Revue Scientifique.
19/54
Of the many that read this piece was Louis Ferdinand Ferber, a pioneer of French avionics. Hooked to the idea, he wrote to Chanute and learned of the Wright brothers' experiments. What followed was a building frenzy for the first powered aircraft ever.
Of the many that read this piece was Louis Ferdinand Ferber, a pioneer of French avionics. Hooked to the idea, he wrote to Chanute and learned of the Wright brothers' experiments. What followed was a building frenzy for the first powered aircraft ever.
20/54
Two years later, Ferber wrote to Archdeacon demanding him to "not let the aeroplane be achieved in America first."
Archdeacon agreed, the first powered flight HAD to be French.
This, of course, didn't quite work out as planned and the Wright brothers wound up on top.
Two years later, Ferber wrote to Archdeacon demanding him to "not let the aeroplane be achieved in America first."
Archdeacon agreed, the first powered flight HAD to be French.
This, of course, didn't quite work out as planned and the Wright brothers wound up on top.
21/54
The endeavor, however, wasn't entirely pointless. What Archdeacon and Ferber kickstarted in France attracted attention from as far as across the English channel, but more on that a little later. First came Gabriel Voisin who was introduced to Archdeacon by Ferber.
The endeavor, however, wasn't entirely pointless. What Archdeacon and Ferber kickstarted in France attracted attention from as far as across the English channel, but more on that a little later. First came Gabriel Voisin who was introduced to Archdeacon by Ferber.
22/54
Under Archdeacon's patronage, Voisin went on to create Europe's first aircraft powered by an engine. The craft took its first successful flight on Jan 13, 1908, good five years after Wright Flyer. The pilot's name was Henry Farman, an Anglo-French aviator, and inventor.
Under Archdeacon's patronage, Voisin went on to create Europe's first aircraft powered by an engine. The craft took its first successful flight on Jan 13, 1908, good five years after Wright Flyer. The pilot's name was Henry Farman, an Anglo-French aviator, and inventor.
23/54
Farman marks the beginning of English interest in avionics. Soon after this flight, Farman and his brother started modifying Voisin's craft and by the following spring, came up with Farman III, a pusher biplane that became a template for many contemporary aircrafts.
Farman marks the beginning of English interest in avionics. Soon after this flight, Farman and his brother started modifying Voisin's craft and by the following spring, came up with Farman III, a pusher biplane that became a template for many contemporary aircrafts.
24/54
One such aircraft was the Sommer 1910 biplane. Designed by the French-Belgian aviator Roger Sommer, this was one of the most successful Farman-class flying machines. One of these was owned by no less than Charles Rolls, the Rolls or Rolls-Royce, himself.
One such aircraft was the Sommer 1910 biplane. Designed by the French-Belgian aviator Roger Sommer, this was one of the most successful Farman-class flying machines. One of these was owned by no less than Charles Rolls, the Rolls or Rolls-Royce, himself.
25/54
The same year Farman took Voisin's biplane on its maiden spin, about 500 aristocrats, inventors, scientists, and engineers gathered at the Claridge's Hotel on a wealthy, 40-year-old Englishman's invitation.
His name was Walter George Windham.
The same year Farman took Voisin's biplane on its maiden spin, about 500 aristocrats, inventors, scientists, and engineers gathered at the Claridge's Hotel on a wealthy, 40-year-old Englishman's invitation.
His name was Walter George Windham.
26/54
At the time, Windham was a King's Messenger his job being to secretly hand-deliver documents of grave import to British embassies. Having once attended an event in Paris the previous year, he was excited to witness the progress the French had made in avionics.
At the time, Windham was a King's Messenger his job being to secretly hand-deliver documents of grave import to British embassies. Having once attended an event in Paris the previous year, he was excited to witness the progress the French had made in avionics.
27/54
It's this excitement that led to the creation of the Aeroplane Club, an assortment of some of the best brains and most generous patrons brought together in the pursuit of placing Britain in the skies. The huddle at Claridge's was this club gathering for the first time.
It's this excitement that led to the creation of the Aeroplane Club, an assortment of some of the best brains and most generous patrons brought together in the pursuit of placing Britain in the skies. The huddle at Claridge's was this club gathering for the first time.
28/54
On August 10, 1909, French aviator Hubert Latham delivered to Windham what's believed to be the world's first mail delivered by air. Latham, by the way, was also the world's first pilot to have crash-landed on water, but I digress.
On August 10, 1909, French aviator Hubert Latham delivered to Windham what's believed to be the world's first mail delivered by air. Latham, by the way, was also the world's first pilot to have crash-landed on water, but I digress.
29/54
Remember Sommer's wildly successful Farman-class flying machine? Well, it was brought to England by the now-defunct British automaker, Humber. Not the machine itself, just the design. Under Sommer's license, Humber built the first English prototype called Humber-Sommer.
Remember Sommer's wildly successful Farman-class flying machine? Well, it was brought to England by the now-defunct British automaker, Humber. Not the machine itself, just the design. Under Sommer's license, Humber built the first English prototype called Humber-Sommer.
30/54
England, those days, ruled over much of the world with colonies on nearly every continent. Among these was India, the wealthiest of them all. Initially owned by a private chartered business, the subcontinent had been under direct Crown rule for a while now.
England, those days, ruled over much of the world with colonies on nearly every continent. Among these was India, the wealthiest of them all. Initially owned by a private chartered business, the subcontinent had been under direct Crown rule for a while now.
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The British Empire's money bag was India. And India's money bags were two territories named Agra and Oudh. In 1902, the imperial government decided to merge the two into a single administrative unit — the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, United Provinces for short.
The British Empire's money bag was India. And India's money bags were two territories named Agra and Oudh. In 1902, the imperial government decided to merge the two into a single administrative unit — the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, United Provinces for short.
32/54
Much of India's affluence and influence at the time could be narrowed down to pockets within this territory. One such pocket was Allahabad. And Allahabad's affluence was concentrated in a stately mansion recently acquired by a lawyer of Kashmiri Pandit descent.
Much of India's affluence and influence at the time could be narrowed down to pockets within this territory. One such pocket was Allahabad. And Allahabad's affluence was concentrated in a stately mansion recently acquired by a lawyer of Kashmiri Pandit descent.
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This lawyer was Motilal Nehru whose father had migrated to Agra after having lost everything in Delhi during the mutiny of 1857. Having lost his father at an early age, Motilal had worked hard to carve himself a stable career as a civil attorney in Allahabad.
This lawyer was Motilal Nehru whose father had migrated to Agra after having lost everything in Delhi during the mutiny of 1857. Having lost his father at an early age, Motilal had worked hard to carve himself a stable career as a civil attorney in Allahabad.
34/54
Motilal's windfall came in 1909 when he secured approval to appear in the Privy Council of Great Britain. This earned him unprecedented clout and turned his fortune around. His son, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in London those days studying law at Inner Temple Inn.
Motilal's windfall came in 1909 when he secured approval to appear in the Privy Council of Great Britain. This earned him unprecedented clout and turned his fortune around. His son, Jawaharlal Nehru, was in London those days studying law at Inner Temple Inn.
35/54
It's with this backdrop that Allahabad hosted the 1911 Annual United Provinces Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition. Commander Walt Windham had, by then, shored up a considerable reputation as a skilled driver and one of the pioneers of British aviation.
It's with this backdrop that Allahabad hosted the 1911 Annual United Provinces Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition. Commander Walt Windham had, by then, shored up a considerable reputation as a skilled driver and one of the pioneers of British aviation.
36/54
The organizers of the Allahabad exhibition expectedly wanted maximum bang for the buck. The only way to accomplish that was by increasing the footfall. But that called for some stellar attraction. Something they had never expected.
So they reached out to Windham.
The organizers of the Allahabad exhibition expectedly wanted maximum bang for the buck. The only way to accomplish that was by increasing the footfall. But that called for some stellar attraction. Something they had never expected.
So they reached out to Windham.
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The idea was to have him perform a bunch of aerial acrobatics to enthrall visitors. Nobody in India knew airplanes then. This was bound to be a hit.
Windham agreed. Readily.
He had a fleet of several flying machines of his own, among them, a Humber-Sommer biplane.
The idea was to have him perform a bunch of aerial acrobatics to enthrall visitors. Nobody in India knew airplanes then. This was bound to be a hit.
Windham agreed. Readily.
He had a fleet of several flying machines of his own, among them, a Humber-Sommer biplane.
38/54
Windham sailed to India along with two pilots, two mechanics, and six airplanes in large wooden crates. Once here, he had the crates transported to Allahabad by railroad and specially-chartered trucks.
One of the pilots was a French guy named Henri Péquet.
Windham sailed to India along with two pilots, two mechanics, and six airplanes in large wooden crates. Once here, he had the crates transported to Allahabad by railroad and specially-chartered trucks.
One of the pilots was a French guy named Henri Péquet.
39/54
One day during his stay in Allahabad, Windham had a visitor. It was the chaplain of the Church of the Sacred Trinity, the second oldest church in all of Allahabad and around.
Reverend W E S Holland.
The Church was raising funds for a hostel those days.
One day during his stay in Allahabad, Windham had a visitor. It was the chaplain of the Church of the Sacred Trinity, the second oldest church in all of Allahabad and around.
Reverend W E S Holland.
The Church was raising funds for a hostel those days.
40/54
Rev. Holland wanted Windham to carry some mails as payload in one of his airplanes. The idea was to let people write letters and have them delivered by air. At least part of the distance if not the entire stretch. Being a novelty, he could charge enthusiasts a premium.
Rev. Holland wanted Windham to carry some mails as payload in one of his airplanes. The idea was to let people write letters and have them delivered by air. At least part of the distance if not the entire stretch. Being a novelty, he could charge enthusiasts a premium.
41/54
This premium, about 4 shillings over regular postal rates, could then be used toward the hostel.
If this sounds like what Max Morehouse did in partnership with the Wrights some 3 months earlier in November 1910, it's because they are that similar.
This premium, about 4 shillings over regular postal rates, could then be used toward the hostel.
If this sounds like what Max Morehouse did in partnership with the Wrights some 3 months earlier in November 1910, it's because they are that similar.
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The only difference, Morehouse had a commercial interest unlike Rev. Holland's philanthropic.
But carrying mails was not something you could do back then without approval from the administration. Sir Geoffrey Charles, the province Postmaster at the time was approached.
The only difference, Morehouse had a commercial interest unlike Rev. Holland's philanthropic.
But carrying mails was not something you could do back then without approval from the administration. Sir Geoffrey Charles, the province Postmaster at the time was approached.
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He said yes and so did the Director-General of the Indian postal service.
The "surcharge" was fixed at 6 shillings, about 40 paise. The flight was decided to be from a polo ground in Allahabad to Naini, a railroad junction 6 miles away across the Ganges.
He said yes and so did the Director-General of the Indian postal service.
The "surcharge" was fixed at 6 shillings, about 40 paise. The flight was decided to be from a polo ground in Allahabad to Naini, a railroad junction 6 miles away across the Ganges.
44/54
A patch had been cleared just outside Naini jail for the airplane. Naini was chosen for a reason. It was the closest such place to Allahabad from where you could take long-distance trains for places like Calcutta, the capital, and Bombay, the harbor.
A patch had been cleared just outside Naini jail for the airplane. Naini was chosen for a reason. It was the closest such place to Allahabad from where you could take long-distance trains for places like Calcutta, the capital, and Bombay, the harbor.
45/54
Thus, letters addressed to virtually any part of the world could be carried from Naini to Bombay by train and onward by ships.
There were some rules around what you could send. Only letters or postcards were allowed, each weighing not more than an ounce.
Thus, letters addressed to virtually any part of the world could be carried from Naini to Bombay by train and onward by ships.
There were some rules around what you could send. Only letters or postcards were allowed, each weighing not more than an ounce.
46/54
You had to get your mail to the church where, upon payment of all fees and surcharge, your mail would be stamped with "First aerial post," and received. The flight was to take off on the first day of the exhibition from the polo grounds, also the exhibition's venue.
You had to get your mail to the church where, upon payment of all fees and surcharge, your mail would be stamped with "First aerial post," and received. The flight was to take off on the first day of the exhibition from the polo grounds, also the exhibition's venue.
47/54
Henri Péquet, one of Windham's pilots was to fly a Humber-Sommer with the letters and postcards. By the time the submission window closed, the payload stood at over 6,000 letters and postcards and weighed about 33 pounds or 15 kilos.
Henri Péquet, one of Windham's pilots was to fly a Humber-Sommer with the letters and postcards. By the time the submission window closed, the payload stood at over 6,000 letters and postcards and weighed about 33 pounds or 15 kilos.
48/54
These were addressed to some of the most exotic destinations on Earth — King George V of England, King Albert I of Belgium, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and many more. Of course, there were also letters to relatives.
These were addressed to some of the most exotic destinations on Earth — King George V of England, King Albert I of Belgium, King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy, Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, and many more. Of course, there were also letters to relatives.
49/54
Among these was a letter from one of the exhibition's biggest patrons. He was writing to his son who was then studying law in London.
Motilal Nehru was known to be an early adopter of all things new in town. At one time, he owned the only car in Allahabad.
Among these was a letter from one of the exhibition's biggest patrons. He was writing to his son who was then studying law in London.
Motilal Nehru was known to be an early adopter of all things new in town. At one time, he owned the only car in Allahabad.
50/54
On the designated day, Péquet took off in his biplane at about 5:30 PM. Flying at 38 miles an hour following the road through the woods, Péquet took about half an hour to get to Naini.
The altitude throughout the flight remained no more than 160 feet.
On the designated day, Péquet took off in his biplane at about 5:30 PM. Flying at 38 miles an hour following the road through the woods, Péquet took about half an hour to get to Naini.
The altitude throughout the flight remained no more than 160 feet.
51/54
Years later when Péquet recalled the flight in an interview, he spoke of how crossing the Ganges was the most nervous part of the trip.
"It's not the water, it was the crocodiles," he said.
The chaplain's idea proved to be a spectacular success.
Years later when Péquet recalled the flight in an interview, he spoke of how crossing the Ganges was the most nervous part of the trip.
"It's not the water, it was the crocodiles," he said.
The chaplain's idea proved to be a spectacular success.
52/54
The church raised a total of 2,500 rupees in surcharge/donations. Doesn't sound much, until you realize a gram of gold was less than two rupees that year.
The church got its hostel, and the world got its first official airmail.
On this day in 1911. Exactly 110 years ago.
The church raised a total of 2,500 rupees in surcharge/donations. Doesn't sound much, until you realize a gram of gold was less than two rupees that year.
The church got its hostel, and the world got its first official airmail.
On this day in 1911. Exactly 110 years ago.
53/54
So that's the story of how a French engineer helped an American invention, copies of which were made in France, one of which was brought to India by an English aviator for an exhibition, who then gave the world its first airmail to raise funds for a church.
So that's the story of how a French engineer helped an American invention, copies of which were made in France, one of which was brought to India by an English aviator for an exhibition, who then gave the world its first airmail to raise funds for a church.
