On a flight from Newark to Philadelphia , a passenger who’s name has been lost to time, jotted a brief note on the back of the postcard pictured below . The observations this writer put to paper almost 80 years ago still entertain and inform. I have placed those comments below . Enjoy a glimpse into the early days of commercial aviation.

“My dear L-

Have been flying for 10 minutes and its simply marvelous.

The plane just floated up into space with a slight noise and now just rumbles as a train does.

Going 165 miles an hour but it seems like five. The sights below are superb – the towns, rivers and fields. My (illegible) just (illegible) everything which is caused by pressure. 12 seats- most comfy I ever sat in and each with a window. The steward just bought the morning papers.

I’m at Phila in 20 minutes. It is marvelous, marvelous.“