Overview

Growing up in the early 20th century, Earhart was inspired by the achievements of women of her day and would come to be an inspiration to many more. Earhart was one of a small number of women who earned their pilot’s license in the early 1920s and promoted aviation her entire life. After the non-stop crossing of the Atlantic in 1928 as a passenger aboard the Fokker F.VII Friendship, she had many achievements and also broke a number of records piloting different aircraft. In 1932 she completed a solo transcontinental flight across the U.S. and her celebrity grew, as she became a sought after public speaker and product endorser. In 1937 she nearly completed a record-setting flight around the world, but was lost in the Pacific Ocean—a mystery which captured the world’s attention and continues to be a subject of interest today.

The lesser known Amelia—role model, author, designer, celebrity, icon

  • She used her fame to play an important role in the women's rights movement, lecturing around the country
  • She published many newspaper and magazine articles, and several books
  • For a time, Amelia designed clothing, which was sold exclusively at 30 departments stores throughout the U.S.
  • She endorsed several products, including Lucky Strike cigarettes, malted milk, and luggage
  • She was a career advisor for women students at Purdue University

Featured Artifacts

  • Lockheed Model 10-E flown by Linda Finch during her 1997 recreation of Amelia's around-the-world flight
  • The only remaining piece of Amelia's Lockheed 10-E Electra
  • Telegraph key from the radio room of the USS Itasca, the ship communicating with Amelia when she disappeared

In Search of Amelia Earhart is now open!