Aviation Dreams and Space Competitions

This chapter explores the historical journey of aviation competitions, particularly focusing on Charles Lindbergh's Atlantic crossing and the motivations behind the $25,000 prize. It parallels the development of the XPRIZE, reflecting on personal aspirations for space travel, and the evolution of prize competitions in fostering innovation, especially in combating climate change. The narrative illustrates the challenges of securing funding for groundbreaking initiatives and the critical moments that shaped the success of a carbon removal prize.