Thomas E. Selfridge's life was tragically cut short at 26, but he holds major firsts in world history thanks to his passion for a new developing technology. He became the first passenger of any plane in Canada, designed the Association's first conventional airplane, and was the first US military officer to fly solo in a powered flying machine. [... more]

Thomas E. Selfridge was a 26-year-old lieutenant who accomplished two astonishing firsts in world history, one tragic, thanks to his passion for a new developing technology. He crossed paths with Douglas MacArthur, the Wright brothers, and Alexander Graham Bell, and his story leads to a good number of equally interesting American stories. [... more]

Thomas E. Selfridge was a 26-year-old lieutenant who accomplished two major firsts in world history, thanks to his passion for a new developing technology. He crossed paths with Douglas MacArthur, the Wright brothers, and Alexander Graham Bell, and would become the first passenger of any plane in Canada, the first U.S. military officer to fly solo in a powered flying machine, and the first person to die in an airplane crash. [... more]