Aircraft such as this Martin M-130 (USA) represent the desire of the world powers in the 1930s to showcase their political, economic, and technological prowess with transoceanic airline service. Much like the capability to launch satellites today, successful demonstrations of overseas airline service provided nations with considerable domestic and international prestige.
Caption:
Used in pioneering trans-Pacific airline service by Pan American Airways.
Type: Photograph
Credit: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Origin: National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
