Hilder Florentina Smith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hilder Florentina Youngberg Smith
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Smith circa 1914
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| Born |
Hilder Florentina Youngberg
August 10, 1890 Galesburg, Illinois, US
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| Died | January 11, 1977 (aged 86) La Mesa, San Diego, California, US
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| Resting place | Portal of Folded Wings |
| Education | Public schools |
| Occupation | Pilot Parachutist |
| Employer | The Flying Sylvesters Glenn Martin |
| Known for | Aviation pioneer |
| Spouse(s) | James Floyd Smith |
| Children | 2 |
Hilder Florentina Youngberg Smith (born August 10, 1890 – died January 11, 1977) was a brave and skilled pilot. She was also an amazing aerial acrobat and parachutist. Hilder was one of the very first female pilots in California. She was also the first woman to fly a plane from what is now LAX. Hilder was part of a flying team called The Flying Sylvesters.
Contents
Early Life and Family
Hilder Florentina Youngberg was born on August 10, 1890. Her parents, Andrew and Frida Youngberg, were from Sweden. In 1907, Hilder married James Floyd Smith.
Together, Hilder and Floyd were part of a flying team. They traveled around southern California for five years. This team was called The Flying Sylvesters. They would perform amazing stunts with airplanes.
In 1912, Hilder and a friend named Frank Shaw helped Floyd build his own airplane. Floyd even added special controls so Hilder could fly with him. Hilder and Floyd had two sons, Sylvester and Prevost.
Aviation Adventures
Hilder became famous for her daring parachute jumps. In 1914, a man named Glenn L. Martin needed someone to parachute. He wanted a woman to jump at the opening of the new Los Angeles Harbor. Hilder had never jumped before, but she made a deal. She would jump twice if she could get flight lessons from her husband.
First Parachute Jumps
In April 1914, Hilder made her first two parachute jumps. She used a special parachute that opened automatically. On her second jump, the wind was very strong. She was climbing out of the plane, which was flown by Glenn Martin. Hilder saw the Los Angeles bay below and got a bit scared. She slipped and tumbled from the plane.
Her parachute lines got twisted! Hilder quickly untangled them. She opened her parachute just in time. She landed safely on the beach. Her husband, Floyd, watched the whole thing. He decided he needed to make parachutes safer.
Inventing the Modern Parachute
Hilder's brave jump inspired Floyd. He wanted to design a parachute that could be opened away from the airplane. This led him to invent and patent the first modern freefall parachute. This is the type of parachute we use today.
Becoming a Pilot
On June 10, 1914, Hilder made her first solo flight. Her husband taught her how to fly. In 1916, Hilder made history again. She flew with a passenger named Adele Mosteri. They were the first women to fly out of a place called Bennett's bean field. This field later became LAX.
Later Life and Legacy
Hilder Florentina Smith passed away on January 11, 1977. She was in La Mesa, California. She is buried at the Portal of Folded Wings Shrine to Aviation. This place honors people who were important in aviation history. Hilder was a true pioneer in flying and parachuting.
