Wings over the Prairie: A Brief History of the Aviation Industry in Wichita, KS

Wings over the Prairie records the rapid development of Wichita's aviation industry following The Great War. This publication complements the publication and exhibition Over Here - Over There: American Print Makers Go to War, 1914-1918, which reflects artists' response to The Great War. In 1928, Wichita started to claim its status as "Air Capital of the World," based on an impressive nexus of airplane factories and aviation engineering. Even during WWI, this industry was thrumming and thriving in Wichita. 

American print makers were depicting the might of American aircraft in the twenties in alignment with a groundswell in American artistic circles, one characterized by strong nationalism and celebration of industrial accomplishment. Artists depicted American manufacturing, industry, and technological prowess as defining strengths for our young country, and the wizardry of machines in flight squarely fit artists' search for imagery that expressed the cultural moment. 

By Edward H. Phillips

Soft Cover: 27 pages

Dimensions: 8.5 x 11 inches