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Educating The American Public on Commercial Air Travel in the 1940s

This rare set of six educational aviation prints, produced in 1944 by American Airlines, Inc. in collaboration with its pilots and air transport engineers, was prepared by Aviation Research Associates to provide an illustrated guide to key principles of flight and air transport operations.  Intended for the general public, this set of graphics was provides an accessible set of graphics and information designed to inform the American public of the safety and reliablity of commercial air travel for "the coming air age."

During the 1930s, airlines expanded their networks, introducing larger, more efficient aircraft like the Douglas DC-3 (1936), which revolutionized air travel with improved speed, range, and passenger capacity. National carriers such as United Airlines, American Airlines, and Pan American Airways, Lufthansa and British Imperial Airways, established regular international routes. The decade also saw the rise of airports with modern terminals, radio navigation, and standardized flight procedures, making air travel safer and more reliable. The 1940s brought major disruptions due to World War II (1939–1945), as civilian aircraft production was largely diverted to military use.  However, with the significant improvements in safety and reliabliity, "the coming air age," clearly projected a vast increase in the amount of commercial air travel, which required both standardized international cooperation and a rapid acceptance and adoption of air travel as a means of travel for the consuming public. The Chicago Convention on Civil Aviation was signed in 1944 and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) was created in 1944 to standardize global air travel regulations.

Against this backdrop, ​Aviation Research Associates (ARA), a firm specializing in the publication of aviation-related materials, began publishing its works in about 1943, including works for the industry and for the general public, such as How Planes Fly, Types of Planes and Parts of Planes in 1943. In 1944, ARA produced several notable works, including The Illustrated Aviation Encyclopedia, The Aviation Annual, and The Coming Air Age. Additionally, in collaboration with American Airlines, Inc., ARA prepared a series titled Twentieth Century Air Travel: A Series of Map Charts, also published in 1944.​ 

The present set of six maps provides a marvelous compendium of visual and technical data on air travel, navigation, communications, meteorology and a host of other visual graphics intended to inform the public about the safety and reliability of commercial air travel, by de-mystifying the science of air trave.  Each chart presents a distinct aspect of aviation knowledge, blending detailed diagrams, instructional illustrations, and technical data with striking blue and yellow color schemes to enhance clarity.

1. Aerodynamics – This chart illustrates the principles of flight, with a detailed depiction of an aircraft in motion, surrounded by circular insets explaining lift, drag, thrust, and airflow dynamics. The bottom section contains technical diagrams related to airfoil design, wing structure, and propulsion mechanics.

2. The Air Ocean – This print explores the atmospheric layers through which aircraft operate. A large central globe displays global wind patterns, jet streams, and atmospheric circulation, while surrounding diagrams detail air density, temperature variations, and weather phenomena critical to aviation.

3. Meteorology – Featuring a dramatic illustration of cloud formations and weather systems, this chart examines how meteorological conditions impact flight safety and navigation. The margins contain descriptions of different cloud types, air pressure systems, and storm patterns.

4. Air Navigation – This chart focuses on the techniques and instruments used for aerial navigation, with a detailed map of flight routes, landmarks, and navigational aids. Insets describe radio beacons, compass adjustments, and chart reading techniques, essential for pilots charting courses over unfamiliar terrain.

5. Air Communications – A comprehensive visualization of aviation communication systems, this print details radio frequencies, air traffic control procedures, and signal relays. A map of the United States highlights major air traffic control centers, with accompanying illustrations of radio towers, pilot headsets, and control room technology.

6. Air Line Operations – This final chart offers a panoramic view of airport logistics, featuring a large illustration of an airport terminal and airfield infrastructure. Surrounding diagrams depict flight scheduling, ground crew responsibilities, baggage handling, and passenger services, presenting a holistic view of commercial aviation management.

These World War II-era instructional charts were created at a time when aviation was experiencing rapid advancements due to wartime technology and expanding commercial flight networks. The set reflects American Airlines' commitment to educating its personnel and the public about the intricacies of modern air travel.

Rarity

The set is very rare.

OCLC locates no complete sets and only a single example of 1 of the charts (The Air Ocean) at Laval University.

The David Rumsey Map Collection holds two of the charts (The Air Ocean and Air Communications).