Charles Lindbergh Leaves Chicago with the U.S. Mail, February 21, 1928

After barnstorming and piloting in the Army Reserve, Charles Lindbergh started flying mail between St. Louis and Chicago in 1925. The job provided sound experience flying in all conditions. Following his 1927 solo transatlantic flight, Lindbergh used his newfound fame to advance aviation however he could -- from organizing transcontinental airline service to making promotional air mail flights over his old route.