group which put out an all-metal plane that he designed. Later, he accepted a position in a technical capacity with General Aviation, a General Motors subsidiary which took over the Fokker interests. Louise Thaden demonstrates her husband’s planes and ferries company officials about. At one time she held the women’s endurance record and, as I have written, won the first derby. She held the office of National Secretary of the “99s” for two years and is reckoned one of the ablest women flyers.
Together she and I once carried out an interesting experiment showing the value of air transportation. A few weeks after her son was born, the National Air Races were held in Chicago. Of course, all pilots hope to be present wherever they are, if only for one day. The doctor had forbidden Mrs. Thaden to go.
“Why,” he said, “do you think I would allow you to jolt along in a train for eleven hours—and come back worn out?”
“How about going by air?” his patient inquired.
“How long will it take?”
“Oh, about three or four hours.”
“Well, if you let someone else fly and take it easy—and come back in two days, I might consent.”
Mrs. Thaden knew I was going from New York so she telephoned and asked me to stop by Pittsburgh and pick her up. Of course, I did and we made Chicago in three hours. The doctor admitted the trip had done her no harm when she returned.
