They Felt the Need for Speed!
In celebration of Chuck Yeager and the Bell X-1 breaking the sound barrier 79 years ago this month, we’re taking a look at some of the National Aviation Hall of Fame Enshrinees who also felt the need for speed!
From record-breaking propeller aircraft to supersonic jets and hypersonic flight, these aviation pioneers’ innovations pushed the limits of what was possible and helped us discover just how fast humans could fly.
Learn about their amazing stories and explore the science behind speed at the Joe Clark Innovation Lab this month during Open Kids Labs!
Open Kids Labs are every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 am–2 pm.
This month on Science Saturday, discover the magic of the Theremin with musician Nick Kizirnis! Learn how this extraordinary instrument uses electromagnetic fields to create sound, letting musicians “play” music by moving their hands through the air. It’s a fun and fascinating demonstration of how STEM and the arts can work together.
Come to Science Saturday on October 17, 1–3 pm!
Then join us for a special Halloween event on October 31, 10 am–3 pm.
Troops & Treats is a free, family-friendly indoor Halloween celebration at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Families can explore the museum in costume while enjoying candy stations, games, face painting, magicians, balloon artists and more.
Our Joe Clark Innovation Lab will feature special Halloween STEAM activities, including building a bat to fly in the wind tunnel, fall-themed activity sheets, and creating an electronic circuit to light up a pumpkin. Admission and parking are free!
Can’t make it to the Lab this month? Wherever you are, you can still explore from home with our online games, experiments, and other activities. You can play StarBlast, watch a video of the fastest plane in the world, and build a paper airplane catapult.
Enshrinee Spotlight: Chuck Yeager
Chuck Yeager widely recognized as the first person to officially and verifiably fly faster than the speed of sound, reaching about Mach 1.06 in the Bell X-1 on October 14, 1947. He broke the sound barrier one more time on October 14, 1997, at age 74 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his historic flight.
