Before the digital age took over with radar screens as well as automated flight systems, air traffic controllers were forced to lean on rudimentary tools, radio transmissions, and also laser-sharp focus to properly help guide pilots through those wide-reaching skies. We’ll take a look at some of the earliest photos that we could find of both airlines and air traffic controllers.
1. Something looks awry.
Some days on the job are more stressful than others.
2. Air Traffic Control in the Army (1978).
Everyone is locked in.
3. An air traffic controller, 1960’s.
What a stud.
4. An air traffic controller in Thailand during the Vietnam War.
A serious throwback.
5. Radar of an air traffic controller.
Radars have certainly changed over the years in air traffic control towers.
6. The first airline Air Traffic Control Center was established in 1935 in Newark, New Jersey.
The first ever. Now that’s some nostalgia.
7. Guy got a sharp haircut, indeed.
The plane flying by really ties the whole photo together.
8. Air Traffic Controllers. Miami International Airport (1963).
Looks like a busy day on the job, indeed.
9. Air traffic controller at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, 1977.
This guy has a bit of a Hunter S. Thompson look going.
10. Two WACs belonging to the US Army Air Forces manning a control tower, with B-25 bombers parked on the field nearby (1944).
Wonder if those planes are gearing up for takeoff.
11. Airlines in the 80’s.
Airlines have certainly changed since the 80s.
12. Serving a snack on Scandinavian Airlines flight, 1969.
It seems like they don’t have enough cold cuts available.
13. Everything looks so well put together. Great touch with the fruit too.
You know things are top shelf when there is fresh fruit available.
14. Lynn Rippelmeyer in 1984, she was the first woman to fly the Boeing 747.
A serious congrats to her.
15. Looks like we’ve got some golf on for this flight.
Honestly, that TV and its picture quality is quite, quite nice for the time.
16. Luxurious, roomy passenger airplanes, those days are long gone.
It almost seems like certain planes were even better back in the day.
17. Passengers aboard an Eastern Airlines flight from the UK to Australia, 1935. Flight took 11 days (with stops).
11 days, even with stops sounds like no easy task.
18. Taking airline reservations before computers, 1945.
Computers really have helped make things more efficient in so many fields.
19. A glimpse into the past.
Back when people carried their books around, and didn’t install them onto e-readers.
20. What a shot.
Everyone seems so excited.
