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Description

From The Earliest Series of Air Navigation Charts Made in the United States.

Air Navigation Map No. 9, an experimental chart from 1924, plots the airplane course from Chicago, Illinois to Iowa City, Iowa, providing a detailed elevation gradient and crucial landmarks necessary for early 20th-century pilots. As a piece of early aviation history, it represents the fusion of geography and aeronautics, offering a snapshot of the precision and forethought invested in the early days of air navigation.

The map's production, under the aegis of the Engineer Reproduction Plant of the Corps of Engineers and directed by the Airways Section Office Chief of Air Corps, illustrates the intensive efforts of the U.S. military to develop aerial navigational aids during a pivotal time in aviation history. The period's technological advancements and the increasing importance of air travel for civilian and military purposes necessitated such detailed and accurate cartographic representations, reflecting the broader push towards enhancing aerial safety and efficiency.

The map is a rich source of historical and technical information, featuring various annotations that detail everything from the type of landing field to the specific number of tracks on a railroad. It not only guided aviators across the midwestern United States but also served as a tool for understanding the complex interplay between terrain, infrastructure, and navigation that characterized the early years of flight. The inclusion of magnetic declination and detailed elevation data underscores the practical challenges faced by aviators and the comprehensive approach taken to address these issues.