Walter Edward Kittel facts for kids

Walter Edward Kittel, also known as Walter Edwards, (1880–1922) was an important early flyer in American aviation. He was a pioneer in the Pacific Northwest, meaning he was one of the first people to do something new and exciting there – in his case, flying airplanes!

Who Was Walter Edwards?

Walter Edwards was born in 1880 and passed away in 1922. He became famous for his work with airplanes, especially for making history with airmail. He helped show how planes could be used for more than just fun or travel.

First Airmail Flight in the Pacific Northwest

On August 10, 1912, Walter Edwards made history. He flew the very first official airmail flight in the Pacific Northwest. This was a big deal because it showed how airplanes could deliver mail much faster than before.

The Historic Journey

The United States Post Office Department gave him special permission for this flight, calling it route #673001. Walter Edwards flew mail from the Waverly Golf Links in Oregon to his home base at the Vancouver Barracks in Vancouver, Washington. This flight was recorded as "US pioneer air mail flight #48." It was also the first time mail was flown between two different states in the United States!

The Airplane and the Mail

Walter Edwards used the same airplane that Silas Christofferson had used earlier that year. Christofferson had famously taken off from the roof of the Multnomah Hotel in Portland, Oregon. On his historic flight, Edwards delivered 5,000 pieces of mail. Each letter had a special stamp to remember the event. He delivered all of it to the postmaster in Vancouver, Washington, on the same day.

Why Did Walter Edwards Change His Name?

In 1912, Walter Edward Kittel decided to change his name to Walter Edwards. He explained his reasons from a hotel in Seattle. He said he felt distant from his family because he didn't like how some people in his social group were not active or productive. Changing his name was a way for him to start fresh and focus on his aviation dreams.