Harriet Quimby - the first woman to pilot an aircraft across the English Cannel

A photo of Harriet Quimby, published  in the Swedish news magazine Hvar 8 Dag in 1912.

"There is no reason why the aeroplane should not open up a fruitful occupation for women. I see no reason they cannot realize handsome incomes by carrying passengers between adjacent towns, from parcel delivery, taking photographs or conducting schools of flying. Any of these things it is now possible to do."
Harriet Quimby

This stylish aviator, American Harriet Quimby, was the first woman to pilot an aircraft across the English Channel. Her flight did not receive much media attenion at the time. as the sinking of the Titanic, which took place on April 12, 1912 - the day before the flight - filled the newspapers. 

Sadly, Quimby lost her life less than three months later in a flight accident.

This year, on the centenary of the Channel flight, Quimby was inducted into the Long Island Air and Space Hall of Fame. 

More information on Harriet Quimby here.