tclauderyan

Hermoso aeroplano.

T. Claude Ryan sent me to college for four years. I was poor but made high scores in standard exams. His philanthropy made it possible for many in my generation to go to school. I remember meeting him and having lunch at his company office. It was a thrill to see first hand that real people make and do things with ideas that shape the world. These are not rock stars. They are world builders with their hands and with their personal vision and generosity. 60 years ago!

BF Mahoney came up with an idea for an airline. "You've got the airplanes here doing a lot of local flying," he said to Ryan. "Did you ever think about running a schedule to Los Angeles back and forth on a daily schedule basis?" Ryan had doubts. Undeterred, Mahoney pointed out that "people are more ready to accept flying than you may think." And he offered to put up the money for an airline for a share of the profits. Ryan agreed, and the Los Angeles­ San Diego Air Line came into being on March 1, 1925. The fare was $14.50 one way, $22.50 round trip. It was claimed to be the first airline in the United States to operate all year on a regular schedule. On April 19, 1925, Mahoney bought a half interest in Ryan's operations--the airline, aviation school and the charter and sightseeing business--for $7,500. The two became partners under the name Ryan Airlines. www.charleslindbergh.com/plane/mahoney.asp