The Idea

While the United States had been the nation to host the first flight by an aeroplane, through the rest of the first decade of the 20th century the nation seemed to languish behind Europe. It wasn't until 1908 that a flight longer then a kilometer was recorded- 5 years after the Wright brothers first flew! Europe's first Aero Meet took place during August 1909 in Rheims, France, placing that country on the map in terms of aviation innovation. Interest in holding a comparable meet in the United States rose quickly.

Abbot Lawrence Rotch, the great meteorologist, had long had an interest in flight, with his help the Harvard Aeronautical Society was born. Soon several hundred members strong, the Society sought to help contribute to the conquest of the air [1]. Plans soon formed to hold an Aero Meet in Boston.

[1]http://harvardmagazine.com/2003/05/conquest-of-the-air-html