By 1917, the U.S. Government had seen enough progress in the development of its air fleet that the administration decided to try something new:  air mail. To get the idea off the ground (literally), Congress appropriated $100,000 for an experimental airmail service.  The innovative service was under the joint control the Army and the Post Office.  It operated between Washington and New York, with an intermediate stop in Philadelphia. The first flight left Belmont Park, Long Island, for Philadelphia on May 14, 1918, and the next day continued on to Washington where it was met by President Woodrow Wilson.  Continue reading