Albert Bond Lambert: Aviation Pioneer

Albert Lambert had two passions in life: flying and his hometown of Saint Louis. After his first ride in a hot air balloon, Albert became a huge supporter of all things related to aviation. He learned to pilot a hot air balloon and fly an airplane. He was a friend of the Wright brothers and other early aviators, and organized exhibitions of the latest airplane technology. He helped St. Louis build airfields and promoted the city as a center for aviation. He even helped Charles Lindbergh raise money to build his airplane,The Spirit of Saint Louis, whose name honored Saint Louis as a center in the new aviation industry. The airport Albert Lambert started is still named in his honor, Lambert-St. Louis International Airport.