Empires of Industry

Empires of Industry is a series that explores the cornerstones of America’s economic might that established the United States as a world leader. Each of the one-hour programs in this remarkable series focuses on an industry that played a unique role in America’s rise to world economic dominance. The stories of changing fortunes in the Steel, Coal, Brewing, Ship Building and other industries reveal much about our country’s past and present. Empires of Industry would be useful for classes on American History, History of Science and Technology, Economics and American Culture. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

Battle for the Skies

One of the hallmarks of twentieth century technology is the airline industry. This episode of Empires of Industry explores the battle for commercial air travel between Juan Trippe of Pan American World Airways (PanAm) and Howard Hughs of Trans World Airline (TWA).

Objectives
Students will explore the role of highlighted industries in American economic, cultural and social hegemony. They will examine the relationship between capitalism and American government and society, as well as the foundations of the American economy.

National History Standards
Empires of Industry fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretations, and historical research capabilities for United States History eras 4, 5, 6, 7 8, 9, and 10.

• analogous
• behemoth
• debonair
• eccentricity
• innovation
• integrity
• ludicrous
• niche
• notoriety
• recluse
• viable
• watershed

Discussion Questions

1. There has been a contest for the sky since the dawn of aviation. Discuss the battle for air travel dominance in the history of aviation.

2. Juan Trippe spent his life in aviation. Discuss Trippe's love affair with airplanes and air travel.

3. How did Trippe get his start in aviation?

4. Early aviators of the postal service were a daring bunch. Discuss some of the dangers these early flyers faced.

5. Juan Trippe was the son of a Wall Street financier with an Ivy League education. How did Trippe use his family and social standing to form Colonial Air Transport?

6. 6. In 1927, Charles Lindbergh was the first person to fly across the Atlantic Ocean nonstop. How did Lindbergh's feat increase interest in commercial aviation?

7. Discuss the ingenious

8. Howard Hughs was a wealthy man. What were the origins of the Hughs fortune?

9. Discuss how Howard Hughes became interested in aviation.

10. Howard Hughs was also a movie producer. How did Hughes use his Hollywood background to promote TWA?

11. What made the Lockheed Constellation so special?

12. Discuss the contrasts between Juan Trippe and Howard Hughs.

13. How did Trippe use his Washington connections to promote Pan Am?

14. What happened to Pan Am and TWA?

Extended Activities

1. Create an advertisement for Pan Am or TWA. Choose whatever era you please.

2. Imagine that you are one of the first commercial aviation passengers. Write a postcard to family or friends telling them of your experience.

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Air Dates

• January 09, 2003