Amelia Earhart's goggles

These aviator goggles were worn by American aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart. She supposedly didn’t enjoy wearing goggles, putting them on only at the end of the runway and taking them off as soon as she landed for the benefit of fans and the media. These were given by Amelia to an artist friend of hers, along with a leather jacket and flight cap. The goggles were purchased at auction by museum curators to be used in its traveling exhibition National Geographic Maps: Tools for Adventure.

 

Of her groundbreaking achievements in flight, Earhart said, “Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.”