Speaking

Mike the Plane Historian is available for lectures, lunch and learns, and other speaking opportunities in the Northern Illinois area. He has over 10 years of experience speaking about early aviation history. Below you can find a list of lectures he currently has available. All lectures are designed to be about 90 minutes and that includes time for a question-and-answer period. 

Fred Machesney: Rockford Aviation Legend

 

The name Machesney is very familiar to those who live in the Northern Illinois region due to the the Village of Machesney Park and the Machesney Park Mall. However, before there was a village and a mall, the name Machesney was synonymous with aviation. Fred Machesney founded the first official Airport in Rockford and operated it for 47 years. Machesney was an innovator, a businessman, and a catalyst for the aviation industry our region is now known for. Join us as we explore Machesney’s life from barnstormer in Kewanee to the closure and conversion of his airport into a mall. We will also talk about early Rockford aviation themes and the formation of Chicago Rockford International Airport. 

Bert ‘Fish’ Hassell – Aviation Pioneer, Whiskey Bootlegger & Rockford Legend:

 

While Rockford is rich with aviation history, there were few characters as colorful as Bert "Fish" Hassell. Many in the Northern Illinois area are familiar with Bert Hassell's Rockford to Sweden pioneer flight attempt in 1929, however, did you know that famed aviator Glenn Curtiss Personally recruited him for flight training? Or that Hassell worked as a Canadian whisky bootlegger for the Chicago mob? Please join me as we take a dive in the eccentric and entertaining life of Rockford's own Bert "Fish" Hassell.

 

Jimmy Doolittle: Aviation Pioneer, Daredevil and Tokyo Raider

 

The name Jimmy Doolittle instantly became a household name following the famous Doolittle Raid against Japan during World War Two. The raid earned Doolittle the Medal of Honor and inspired a nation still reeling from the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The raid was only one of many achievements in Doolittle’s historic aviation career. Before becoming a war hero, Doolittle was already one of the nation’s most famous aviators. In addition to discussing his military career, the goal of this program is to also highlight many of Doolittle’s lesser known aviation accomplishments. Some topics of discussion will include Doolittle’s early pioneer flights, his contribution to instrument flying, his record setting air racing career and much more

 

Barnstormers and Biplanes: The Early Days of Aviation

 

You’ve heard about the Wright Brothers & Amelia Earhart, but what about Harriet Quimby or the Barnstormers? This program focuses on the fascinating era of early aviation from the turn-of-the-century until the 1920’s. Discover how the Wright Brothers became interested in flight, see what makes airplanes fly, and learn about some of the major names in the early aviation world, including the Barnstormers and the Air Mail pilots. The aim of this program is to showcase the early period of aviation, chart its development from recreational showmanship to potential commercial utilization, and focus on the many pioneers who were daring enough to use this new form of transportation. These early days of aviation served as a crucible for the development of air travel and as such the focus will be on discussing its history. Following the seminar there will be a short question and answer period.

 

The Most Unusual Aircraft in History

 

In this fun program we will examine the world's most unusual. bizarre, and/or just "plane" (Pun and misspelling intended) weird aircraft. We will explore their development, projected roles, and the stories behind them.

 

First Around The World - Douglas World Cruisers

Three years before Charles Lindbergh and the Spirit of St. Louis took their legendary flight to Paris, eight brave men and four aircraft attempted to become the first to circumnavigate the world by air. The 27,553 mile flight was met with disaster almost immediately with disaster when the lead aircraft and the flight commander struck a mountain in the Alaskan fog. The remaining flight experienced it all from blown engines, forced landings, a stowaway and much more. Come join us as we learn about this audacious record breaking flight.  

Fordlandia - Henry Ford's Failed Rubber Tree Utopia

 

In the late 1920s, Henry Ford purchased a large parcel of land in Brazil. The purpose was to start his own rubber empire, to consolidate his own supply of rubber for Ford Automobiles. Ford sent millions of dollars of equipment to build a small industrial city where he promised a utopia of high wages and the construction of a settlement that included a school, hospital, a golf course, and the promises of a better life. Join us to find out how this often-unmentioned industrial development turned social experiment and failed and forever put a tarnish on Henry Ford's legacy.

 

Howard Hughes and The Spruce Goose

 

Join us as we dive into the eccentric and enigmatic life of Howard Hughes. Who was Howard Hughes, a Hollywood visionary, a brilliant business mogul, a paranoid recluse, or all three or none of the above? Join us as we explore all aspects of his fascinating career with an extended look at the construction and controversy surrounding his famed Spruce Goose.

 

The Moon Race Part 1: Project Mercury:

 

Project Mercury was the first manned space program in the United States. These early space missions taught NASA many important lessons: How to reach orbit, how man can survive and function while in orbit and how to both launch and recover astronauts and their vehicles. From 1958 to 1963, NASA conducted 20 unmanned test flights and 6 successful manned flights. Come join us as we discuss these missions, and the original 7 astronauts nicknamed the Mercury 7 and find out why they truly had "The Right Stuff".

 

The Moon Race Part 2: Project Gemini 

 

While project Mercury proved that NASA could successfully launch astronauts into orbit and recover them, many lessons still needed to be learned before landing on the moon. Taking place between 1965 and 1966, Project Gemini featured a 2-man spacecraft and a more powerful rocket. In a classic case of learning to walk before you can run, Project Gemini set out to practice many of the maneuvers and techniques required to travel to and land on the moon such as learning to intercept and dock with other spacecraft, learning how to perform outside the spacecraft in a spacesuit, and testing astronauts endurance to survive in space for weeks at a time.

The Moon Race Part 3: Project Apollo 

Project Apollo applied and built on the lessons learned from Projects Mercury and Gemini to achieve the ultimate goal of sending astronauts to the moon and returning them safely. Using the massive and reliable Saturn V rocket (7.6 million lbs of thrust) astronauts for the first time were able to leave lower earth's orbit and fly to the moon. Ultimately, twelve men walked on the moon but NASA employed a staggering team of 400,000 employees and contractors who contributed to the achievement. Apollo is a story of tragedy, meticulous engineering, and human perseverance. Please join us as we discuss one of the most significant exploration accomplishments of all time. 

The Curtiss JN4D - The Aircraft That Taught America To Fly

 

The Curtiss JN-4D Jenny is one of the most iconic aircraft in American history. The Jenny fought Pancho Villa, trained pilots for World War One, starred in movies and almost single-handedly taught our nation to fly. The Jenny was simply the right aircraft for the right time. This program will explore the Jenny's development and rise from humble military trainer to symbol of American aviation.