Inventions & Discoveries

Throughout aviation and aerospace history, inventions and discoveries paved the way for advancements in aeronautics.

By Frontiers of Flight Museum

SR-71 “Blackbird” Simulator (1963/1963) by LinkFrontiers of Flight Museum

SR-71 "Blackbird"

At the height of the Cold War in the early 1960s, the United States needed a new reconnaissance aircraft that could not be downed by enemy fire. Legendary aircraft designer, Kelly Johnson, and the Lockheed Skunk Works division took on the challenge. According to Johnson, “Everything had to be invented. Everything.”

SR-71 Cockpit CheckoutFrontiers of Flight Museum

Cockpit orientation by SR-71 "Blackbird" pilot Col. Richard Graham in the Museum's simulator.

SR-71 "Blackbird" Canopy, Lockheed, 1960/1970, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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SR-71 Technical Objective Camera (TEOC), ITEK Corporation, 1960/1970, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Pratt & Whitney J58 Engine, Pratt & Whitney, 1960/1970, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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SR-71 J58 Engine Tour (2013-01-27) by Johnston, ErikFrontiers of Flight Museum

J58 engine walkaround with SR-71 pilot, Col. Richard Graham.

Floyd Bennett Ford Tri-Motor Model (2014/2014) by Frontiers of Flight Museum Model ShopFrontiers of Flight Museum

Polar Explorer, Adm. Richard E. Byrd

An avid adventurer, Adm. Richard E. Byrd led and participated in expeditions to the North and South Poles in the late 1920s. The Museum is home to many artifacts from his expeditions. A pioneering aviator, Byrd's accomplishments include the first to fly across the South Pole in 1929.

Ford Trimotor Model at Frontiers of Flight MuseumFrontiers of Flight Museum

Building the "Floyd Bennett" Ford Tri-Motor scale model.

Antarctic Explorer Adm. Richard E. Byrd's Parka, Unknown, 1928/1930, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Rock from Harold Byrd Mountain Range in Antarctica, 1929, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Apollo 7 Command Module (1968/1968) by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Frontiers of Flight Museum

Apollo 7 Command Module

The first manned flight in the Apollo Space Program, Apollo 7 launched into low Earth orbit on October 11, 1968. With a primary mission of testing spacecraft systems, Apollo 7 paved the way for Neil Armstrong's first steps on the Moon aboard Apollo 11.

Apollo 7 Launch CBS coverage (1968-10-11) by CBS Television Broadcasting CompanyFrontiers of Flight Museum

Liftoff of Apollo 7, October 11, 1968.

American Flag from Apollo 7 Mission, Col. Walter Cunningham, USMCR, Apollo 7 Lunar Module Pilot, 1968/1968, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Space Suit Glove Dip Forms, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1969/1969, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Moon Rock, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), 1971/1971, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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109C “Tomahawk” Cruise Missile (1984/1984) by Raytheon Missile SystemsFrontiers of Flight Museum

Precision Strike Weapons

Technological innovations in precision strike weapons continue to change the manner in which military commanders conduct warfare.

USS Arleigh Burke launches Tomahawk Land Attack Missiles to combat ISILFrontiers of Flight Museum

Tomahawk cruise missiles launch from U.S. Naval ships. Visitors to the Museum have the opportunity to view this innovative missile.

SSM-N-9 “Regulus II” Cruise Missile, Chance Vought, 1956/1956, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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BQM-MQM-74 “Chukar”, Northrop, 1968/1968, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Wright Flyer Full-Scale Reproduction (1903/1903) by Frontiers of Flight MuseumFrontiers of Flight Museum

Innovative Aircraft

From the Wright Brothers first flight in 1903 to present day, innovations and discoveries in aircraft design and performance continue to advance aviation.

Curtiss JN-4D “Jenny” Aircraft, Liberty Iron Works, 1918/1918, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Stearman PT-17 "Kaydet", Boeing, 1941, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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V-173 “Flying Pancake” Aircraft, Chance Vought, 1942/1942, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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T-33A “Shooting Star” Aircraft, Lockheed, 1950/1950, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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F-105D “Thunderchief” Aircraft, Republic, 1959/1959, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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F-16B “Fighting Falcon” Aircraft, Lockheed Martin, 1979/1979, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Lear Fan 2100 Aircraft, Frontiers of Flight Museum, 1982/1982, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Boeing 737-300 Spirit of Kitty Hawk, Frontiers of Flight, 1984/1984, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Bell 47 Helicopter, Bell Helicopter, 1963/1963, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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UH-1D “Iroquois” (Huey) Helicopter, Bell Helicopter, 1961/1961, From the collection of: Frontiers of Flight Museum

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Credits: Story

Special thanks to all who contributed to the Inventions and Discoveries Exhibit.

Kent Harraid, Collections Database Manager
Bob Welch, Curator
Col. Richard Graham, SR-71 Pilot
Erik Johnston, Veteran Tales Project
FOFM Model Shop Volunteers
U.S. Navy

Credits: All media

The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.

Frontiers of Flight Museum

Stories from Frontiers of Flight Museum

Online Exhibit