Smithsonian Voices

From the Smithsonian Museums

A 65-year-old Black woman sits in the left seat of an airliner cockpit. She is smiling and wearing an airline captain's uniform, including a white shirt and a hat.

Meet the U.S. Air Force's First Black Female Pilot

Theresa Claiborne looks back on her outstanding career in military and civil aviation

A white man in his early 70s stands inside a museum gallery. He is wearing glasses and smiling. Behind him, is the nose and forward fuselage of a Boeing 747 airplane. The 747 is painted in a red, gray, and white paint scheme.

How to Display a 747 in a Museum

Three men sit under the shade of a massive airplane wing; one of the men is wearing an officer's hat. Two huge aircraft are parked in the background, both are painted black. Behind them is a lush island landscape. The photo has been given a green tint.

A World War II Veteran Recalls the Adventure of Patrolling the Pacific Aboard Flying Boats

A sleek jet aircraft painted red, white, and black flies over an air base in the desert.

Does a Fighter Pilot Have to Be Human?

Four military jets fly in a diamond formation across a blue sky. On the underside of each jet's wings, "US Navy" is painted in bold yellow letters. White airshow smoke streams from each jet. The moon is visible in the sky.

The Blue Angels Get Their First Female Jet Demonstration Pilot

A vibrant hydrogen balloon with intricate blue and gold designs floats above a bustling outdoor event set against a cloudy sky. Below, several white tents are set up in a grassy park, with groups of people mingling and walking around.

Balloon Expert Reacts to the Bridgerton Runaway Balloon Scene

A ladies long-sleeve blouse fastened by four plastic white buttons hangs against a dark background. The blouse features a multi-color map pattern printed on a white silk background.

How a World War II Escape Map Found a Second Use as a Ladies Garment

SR-71 Blackbird on display in a museum

Why the SR-71 Blackbird Never Gets Old

A German fighter aircraft is painted dull grey, with some black markings including a Nazi swastika. A large gun in mounted near the nose of the plane, which has a single large propeller.

Where to See World War II Aircraft Up Close

A museum display features a statue of a male astronaut standing with his arms outstretched in front of a metal sculpture lit by red and purple lighting. A museum visitor stands in a similar pose in front of the statue.

A Cultural History of Soviet Cosmonauts

Overhead detail view of a trophy showing a silver angel extending her arms holding a vintage airplane.

The Trophy That Honors U.S. Air Force Flights

Two U.S. Navy men in uniform--a pilot and an aviator — stand in front of the cockpit of an F-4B Phantom II military jet aircraft.

Reflections from a Vietnam War POW

A small silver pin shows a smiling Snoopy, a cartoon dog, wearing a spacesuit with a large clear glass helmet, performing his iconic happy beagle dance.

The Story of Snoopy in Space

Speedball Alice, a restored dark green P-51D airplane with white stripes, is parked on a tarmac in the Reno desert, with mountains and blue sky in the background.

The Final Reno Air Show

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is a vast open space filled with airplanes on both the floor and hanging from the ceiling, tilted at angles that convey the impression of flight.

20 Years of the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center

Walt Disney, an senior man in a white button up short-sleeved shirt, with a tie and slacks, greets a small crowd of people in front of his airplane, which is large enough it extends out of frame and is white with orange and blue stripes.

Yes, Walt Disney’s Private Jet Was Called Mickey Mouse One

Underside view of space shuttle in flight with blue sky background.

Space Shuttle Astronauts Tell All

Chuck Yeager's Ribbon Bar

What Chuck Yeager's Medals and Ribbons Tell Us About His Career

A black-and-white photo, tinged light brown, shows around 3/4 of massive airship as it exits a pitch black hangar opening.

Are We in an Airship Renaissance?

In this pastel drawing, 14 bluish white rays radiate out and upward from a dark half-moon shape flanked by trees. White stars are visible in the night sky.

These Depictions of Celestial Wonders Helped Make Astronomy Mainstream

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Meet the U.S. Air Force's First Black Female Pilot

How to Display a 747 in a Museum

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