The National Air Races, held in Cleveland between 1929 and 1949, represent one of the most significant events of the 20th Century. Cleveland's newly constructed municipal airport, the world’s largest at the time, and its permanent 50,000-seat bleachers, won the city hosting rights to what would become a world-renowned event. The National Air Races captivated the public during the grim years of the Great Depression, and provided a showcase for many aviation innovations including retractable landing gear, low-wing monoplanes, air-cooled engines, and streamlining.
|