Bob van der Linden

Bob van der Linden, a commercial aviation curator at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, shares fascinating insights into the history of civilian air travel. He discusses the challenges faced by early airlines and the crucial role of airmail services. The conversation unveils the origins of flight attendants, spotlighting Ellen Church's groundbreaking contributions. Listeners are treated to nostalgic stories from early flights, contrasting past luxuries with today's travel habits, and reflecting on how air travel perceptions have evolved over a century.