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YOUR AMERICA(R) By CLARK KINNAIRD

THE FIRST WOMAN TO PILOT a plane in the U.S. was Blanche Stuart Scott, of Fort Wayne, Ind., who made her initial solo flight 47 years ago today (10-23-1910). She said later her first takeoff was accidental. She was in the pilot's seat, with the propellor turning, waiting for her instructor. A gust of wind thrust the light plane into the air. Miss Scott had learned enough to control the plane, and continued the flight.

Some other firsts: The world's first submarine cable was laid from Manhattan to Governor's Isle, New York harbor, Oct. 18, 1842, for telegraphy. Oranges and lemons entered the American diet as a result of the first direct shipments of citrus fruits to New York from Sicily, 125 years ago this autumn. Can anybody help us discover the name of the cook who invented the lemon pie?

Cellophane was used first in this country in 1923, for wrapping boxes of chocolates. Collapsible leaden tubes, the invention of an American (John Rand), were used by a New York manufacturer for oil paints, long before tooth pastes were marketed in tubes. The term "automobile" was originally applied to electric street cars back in 1883. The first woman mayor was Suzanna Salter, aged 27, elected in Argonia, Kan., in 1887.


[[image caption]]
Right: Curtiss plane such as Blanche S. Scott had in her initial solo flight at Hammondsport, N.Y. in Oct., 1910. 


[[image caption]]
Blanche Scott as a pilot. She had to wear heavy clothes to shield her from hot engine at back and cold air.


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Muriel, thought you would be interested in this, Mary.
10/23/59  Journal Entries