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[[image No. 153 - black & white photograph of the Bendix Trophy]]

The Bendix Corporation

In 1935, Vincent Bendix ran an ad that said, "Every airline in America employs Bendix Products--respects them--relies upon them--with amply demonstrated justification." While the same is true today, with nearly all the world's airlines, Vincent Bendix would be astonished at the diversity of his company. The firm has pioneered onboard power generation equipment, navigation and control systems, weather avoidance radar, and has recently perfected an autothrottle system that automatically positions the aircraft throttles to program airspeed selected by the pilot. During World War II, The Gibson Girl was a friend of all pilots adrift at sea. It sent out distress signals at the turn of a crank. As sponsor of the renowned Bendix Trophy for transcontinental speed races during the 1930s, the company helped encourage a galaxy of engineering achievement for long distance flight.  But just as important in the time and era of the competition, was the fact they were cross-country events, thereby creating national, and indeed international attention on speed and safety.

[[image - drawing of a propeller]]

Connecticut General Life Insurance Company

[[image No. 154 - black & white photograph of a group of people in front of a two engine enclosed biplane]]

Connecticut General has been a pioneer in aviation insurance since the early days of commercial flight, and was the first major insurance company to provide full accident protection for aircraft employees, as well as passengers. In 1928, Connecticut General wrote its first individual life insurance on airline pilots, and by 1930, had extended group life coverage to more than 400 airline employees. All of this was the idea of Frazar B. Wilde, who later became president of the company, and at the time, such underwriting was almost a heretical gesture. The small carriers did not want to talk about safety, health requirements for pilots were no less demanding than for postal workers, and court judgments were confused on liability.  During the 1940s, CG initiated accident insurance for international air travelers, and took the bold step of broadened coverage for policyholders who traveled by air. Connecticut General still remains in the front rank, insuring 47 of the world's airlines--more than any other company, as well as manufacturers and allied organizations in the aeronautics/aerospace industry.

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