Portrait of Richard Byrd, 1928

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Artifact Overview

Richard E. Byrd learned to fly while serving as an officer in the U.S. Navy during World War I. In 1926, he led a flight toward the North Pole and is generally credited with success, though controversy remains over whether Byrd reached the actual pole. Three years later, Byrd led a verified flight over the South Pole.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Photographic print

Subject Date

1928

Location

By Request in the Benson Ford Research Center

Object ID

2001.0.107.11

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Paper (Fiber product)

Technique

Gelatin silver process

Color

Black-and-white (Colors)

Dimensions

Height: 10 in
Width: 8 in

Inscriptions

attached paper on back: [C]redit Line [W]ide World Studio [Comm]ander Richard E. Byr[d] ink stamp on back: Credit to: WIDE WORLD STUDIO 289 WEST 43RD STREET NEW YORK CITY / Will be Appreciated. [...] written with pencil on back: 68907 | S3 3928
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  • 1925 Fokker F.VII Tri-Motor Airplane, "Josephine Ford," Flown Over the North Pole by Richard Byrd
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    Richard Byrd’s North Pole Flight

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    On May 9, 1926, explorer Richard Byrd and pilot Floyd Bennett took off from Norway on a round-trip flight to the North Pole in their Fokker Tri-Motor airplane Josephine Ford. Though Byrd is generally credited with reaching the pole, controversy remains over whether he could have made the 1,350-mile journey in the 16 hours he and Bennett spent aloft. Whatever doubts remain today, Byrd was celebrated as a leading polar explorer of his time.