Blanche Scott facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Blanche Stuart Scott
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Blanche Scott in her biplane, circa 1910-1916
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| Born | April 8, 1884 Rochester, New York, U.S.
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| Died | January 12, 1970 (aged 84) Rochester, New York, U.S.
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| Resting place | Riverside Cemetery Rochester, New York, U.S. |
| Occupation | Aviator and scriptwriter |
Blanche Stuart Scott (born April 8, 1884 – died January 12, 1970) was a brave American pioneer. She was possibly the very first American woman to fly an airplane by herself. She was also known as Betty Scott.
Contents
Blanche Stuart Scott's Amazing Life
Early Years
Blanche Stuart Scott was born in Rochester, New York, on April 8, 1884. Her parents were Belle and John Scott. Her father was a successful businessman who made and sold special health products.
Blanche loved cars from a young age. Her father bought a car, and she drove it around the city. This was before there were rules about how old you had to be to drive! Her family thought she was a bit of a "tomboy," meaning she liked activities usually done by boys. They even sent her to a special school for young ladies.
Driving Across America
In 1910, Blanche made history. She became the second woman to drive a car all the way across the United States. She was the first to drive from New York City on the East Coast to San Francisco, California on the West Coast.
A car company called Willys-Overland sponsored her trip. The car was even named the "Lady Overland." Blanche and her passenger, a reporter named Gertrude Buffington Phillips, started their journey on May 16, 1910. They reached San Francisco on July 23, 1910.
Becoming a Flying Pioneer
Blanche's amazing car trip made her famous. This caught the attention of Jerome Fanciulli and Glenn Curtiss, who was a famous airplane designer. They offered to teach her how to fly in Hammondsport, New York. Blanche was the only woman to be taught directly by Glenn Curtiss himself.
Curtiss put a special device on her airplane. This device stopped the plane from going fast enough to fly while she practiced moving it on the ground. But on September 6, 1910, something amazing happened! Either the device moved, or a strong gust of wind lifted her plane. She flew about 40 feet high before landing gently. This flight was short and perhaps by accident, but many people believe Blanche was the first American woman to fly an airplane alone.
Soon after, Blanche became a professional pilot. On October 24, 1910, she flew in a public air show in Fort Wayne, Indiana. This made her the first woman to fly at a public event in America. Because of her daring flying, people called her the "Tomboy of the Air."
She became a very skilled stunt pilot. She was known for flying upside down and doing "daring dives." This meant she would dive from 4,000 feet high and then pull up sharply just 200 feet from the ground! In 1911, she became the first woman in America to fly a long distance without stopping. She flew 60 miles from Mineola, New York.
In 1912, Blanche started flying for Glenn L. Martin. She became the first female test pilot. This meant she flew early versions of planes to test them before their final designs were even finished. In 1913, she joined another flying show team called the Ward exhibition team.
Later Life and Legacy
In the 1930s, Blanche worked as a writer for big movie studios like RKO, Universal Studios, and Warner Bros. in California. She also wrote, produced, and performed in radio shows.
On September 6, 1948, Blanche made history again. She became the first American woman to fly in a jet plane! She was a passenger in a TF-80C jet, flown by the famous pilot Chuck Yeager. Knowing Blanche loved stunts, Yeager gave her an exciting ride with rolls and a fast dive.
In 1954, Blanche started working for the National Museum of the United States Air Force. She helped them find and collect old aviation items for the museum.
Blanche Stuart Scott passed away on January 12, 1970, in Rochester, New York, at 84 years old. She was buried in Rochester's Riverside Cemetery.
Her achievements were remembered. On December 30, 1980, the United States Postal Service released a special air mail stamp to honor her flying accomplishments. In 2005, Blanche Scott was recognized for her amazing life and was added to the National Women's Hall of Fame.
Images for kids
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Blanche Scott in her biplane
See also
In Spanish: Blanche Stuart Scott para niños
