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In New York City an enterprising aviator named Al Welsh began an operation of flying women to afternoon teas in his airplane.

Although these women never piloted an aircraft themselves, they still played a vital role in the advancement of aviation.  They showed that women did not have to learn to fly to enjoy the adventure of ascending into the air.  But more importantly their flights went a long way toward proving the pragmatic aspect of flight - using an aircraft to get from point A to point B.  With all the stunts, demonstration flights, and other thrilling aspects of aviation, it was the practicality of flight that caused aviation to grow into the enormous industry it is today.

* Mrs. Edmund Rosenberg of Indianapolis added to her fame of being the first woman in that city to drive an automobile by becoming Indianapolis' first woman to make a balloon ascension.  She and her husband flew with an exhibition balloonist by the name of G. L. Bumbaugh in December 1908.  Mrs. Rosenberg was so eager to make the ascension that she told Mr Bumbaugh she would be willing to even hang onto the car as ballast.  Her reaction was extremely enthusiastic:  "It's not near (sic) so dangerous as driving an automobile.  There are no policemen up there, no street cars, no horses, no little children, or deaf or blind to make you nervous.........I want a balloon."