1910 Los Angeles International Aviation Meet

Americas first international air meet was held January 10-20 1910 in Los Angeles on a mesa called Dominguez Hill situated 13.5 miles south of the plaza at the pueblo of Los Angeles. Enthusiasm for aviation grew after the first international air meet in 1909 in Rheims France where American aviator Glenn H. Curtiss won three prestigious speed prizes and 36000 francs. An even more spectacular air meet which would also invigorate the local economy was promoted for Los Angeles. Businessman Dick Ferris the Los Angeles Merchants and Manufacturers Association and the Los Angeles Examiner collaborated to make it possible. Most Americans had never seen the newfangled machines that soared in the skies. Initially skeptical they soon were awed. So began Americas love affair with aviation. The air meet influenced aviation in Southern California and transportation worldwide into the 21st century.