Charles Lindbergh

An American aviator who, on 20 to 21 May 1927, flew solo and nonstop from Roosevelt Field on Long Island to Le Bourget Aerodrome near Paris in the purpose built Spirit of St. Louis, a flight of about 3,600 miles lasting over 33 hours. It was not the first transatlantic crossing but was the first solo one and, at nearly 2,000 miles longer than any earlier flight, set a new distance record. He won the 25,000 dollar Orteig Prize, established by hotelier Raymond Orteig for the first nonstop New York to Paris flight, and the achievement, dubbed the Lindbergh Boom, sharply expanded public interest in aviation, pilot training and commercial air service.