Lapel Pins

Like many of the early fliers, American Airlines started as a conglomeration of smaller regional airlines whose primary business was delivering US Mail. After World War II, American expanded its passenger business, including transcontinental jet service and routes to Hawaii. By 1970 there was a direct flight from New York to Honolulu, offering many mainlanders their first chance to visit the beautiful Aloha State. A few years later in 1973, American became the first major airline to employ a female pilot. Throughout the years American Airlines has been a major innovator in aviation and helped spread Aloha around the globe.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Number One to the Sun. Soaring to the skies in 1926, Eastern Airlines became one of the “Big Four '' domestic airlines, maintaining a near monopoly in flights between New York and Florida from 1930 to 1950. The Big Four airlines were created by the Spoils Conferences of 1930 and became the dominant airlines in United States air travel. Customer satisfaction was optimal and Eastern proudly stood by its “We want everyone to fly” slogan. They were the official airline of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, proudly representing Florida in the skies. Deregulation during the 1980s took a toll financially on Eastern Airlines and the airline was forced to retire in 1991 after labor disputes. Although Eastern Airlines is no longer in the skies, its legendary contributions live on in the world of flying today.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Trans World Airlines history dates all the way back to 1930 when they had the aviation pioneers like Charles Lindbergh and Jack Frye helping them build their brand as “The Airline Run by Flyers.” TWA was the chief rival to Pan American Airways for international travel, beginning in the 1940's. Their all-jet fleet was recognized all over the world and their trailblazing contributions to airport design helped revolutionize the industry. TWA went through multiple bankruptcies in the 1990's before merging with American Airlines in 2001.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Continuously uncovering curiosities for humankind, NASA is on the forefront of space exploration and the evolving art of flight. Established in 1958, NASA is headquartered in Washington, D.C. with 10 field centers spread throughout the United States. In response to the world’s race to uncover the mysteries of space, NASA launched 135 missions between 1981 and 2011, all lifting off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Hawaii has been an instrumental player in NASA’s space travels, from being a key part of landing a man on the moon to being a first port of call for astronauts returning home from the moon. The global Spacecraft Tracking and Data Network, comprising numerous tracking stations throughout the world, facilitated communications with the first orbiting astronauts involved in Project Mercury. Located in Kōkee State Park on the Garden Isle of Kauai, the station first served Project Mercury, then the Gemini Program. Today, the station is used for NASA’s Goddard Crustal Dynamics Project and the US Naval Observatory. While NASA’s main training base, The Johnson’s Center is located in Houston, Texas, the Big Island’s lava fields are another prime training spot. The volcanic terrain simulates what a mission to Mars would look like. While the mainland is home to NASA’s headquarters and numerous field centers, Hawaii serves as an integral part of NASA’s endeavors, facilitating and aiding in space travel.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Lockheed Martin‘s history is full of over a century of innovation and ingenuity in aviation. Back in 1912 in Los Angeles, California, Glenn L. Martin, was building his first aircraft in a rented church building, with the encouragement of Orville Wright. 400 miles North in San Francisco, brothers Allan and Malcolm Lockheed were developing seaplanes that would shatter records for distance and speed. Both companies would continue to evolve over the next 80 years consistently producing some of the finest aircraft in the world mostly for military use. This included the Stealth and Blackbird planes developed by Lockheed‘s secret Skunk Works division, and Martin creating everything from the P-38 Lightning plane to many of the rockets that helped propel the American space program. The two companies merged in 1995 forming Lockheed Martin as an aviation powerhouse. Today the company continues to develop a wide array of aircraft, aerospace, and defense products including the new F-35 Lightining, for which there is a flight simulator located at Pearl Harbor.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Starting in 1927 with a vision, some single engine aircraft and a few trans-oceanic routes, Pan Am's emphasis on image and branding created the "jet-setter" lifestyle. On April 17, 1935, the S-42 Pioneer Clipper skimmed to the first ever landing in Hawaiian waters after a flight from Alameda, California that lasted 17 hours and 44 minutes. Offering luxury to both domestic and international travelers, Pan Am has left behind a legacy of comfort and sophistication that still resonates today.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Hawaiian Airlines has a long and storied history. Incorporated in 1929 under the name Inter-Island Airways Ltd, our original fleet was comprised of two eight-passenger Sikorsky S-38 amphibian planes. From those modest beginnings, we’ve grown to be Hawaii’s biggest and longest-serving airline with more than 160 jet flights daily between the Hawaiian Islands and over 240 daily flights system wide.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Lockheed Martin‘s history is full of over a century of innovation and ingenuity in aviation. Back in 1912 in Los Angeles, California, Glenn L. Martin, was building his first aircraft in a rented church building, with the encouragement of Orville Wright. 400 miles North in San Francisco, brothers Allan and Malcolm Lockheed were developing seaplanes that would shatter records for distance and speed. Both companies would continue to evolve over the next 80 years consistently producing some of the finest aircraft in the world mostly for military use. This included the Stealth and Blackbird planes developed by Lockheed‘s secret Skunk Works division, and Martin creating everything from the P-38 Lightning plane to many of the rockets that helped propel the American space program. The two companies merged in 1995 forming Lockheed Martin as an aviation powerhouse. Today the company continues to develop a wide array of aircraft, aerospace, and defense products including the new F-35 Lightining, for which there is a flight simulator located at Pearl Harbor.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Originally founded in 1946 under the name Trans-Pacific Airlines, Aloha Airlines was launched by Ruddy F Tongg, Sr. with the concept of having an airline to connect California, Hawaii, and China. In its earlier years, the company was focused primarily on inter-island flights in Hawaii and its service quickly led to the airline earning the nickname "The Aloha Airline", a name which was incorporated into the official name TPA-The Aloha Airline in 1950. In 1958, the company dropped the TPA portion of its name and would move into the future under the Aloha Airlines name. During the late 50's and into the 60's, Aloha Airlines would remain near the front of the rapidly evolving airline industry technologies. They were the second airline in the United States to move completely to a strictly turbine operated fleet. By 1966 they were already making the push into an all-jet fleet that would eventually feature Boeing 737-200 jets that were fondly nicknamed "Funbirds". Aloha would continue to offer inter-island service as well as flights to the US Mainland until it eventually ceased operation in 2008. Although Aloha Airlines no longer operates it played a significant role in Hawaii's aviation history and opened up access to Hawaii's islands to generations of passengers.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

As with many early air carriers, Western Airlines began in 1925 as a mail carrier service.  Based in California, Western went through many stages over its sixty plus year existence.  When it began serving as a commercial airline it initially focused on the Western United States.  In 1969 it began offering service to Honolulu and Hilo with high end service which they called The Islander routes.  During its prime in the 1970's and 1980's Western increased it's service to Hawaii and also offered flights to Kahului and Kona.  In 1986 Western entered into a merger with Delta Airlines, and the Western Airlines name was retired.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening

Founded in 1926, Northwest Airlines quickly acquired a loyal customer base of passengers pleased with their flight experience. When Northwest merged with Republic Airlines, it opened the domestic flight path for its popular Pacific routes, specifically Honolulu. Northwest dominated the global flight network as it established a presence in Europe, East Asia, Alaska, Tokyo and throughout the United States. The fact that Northwest carried more passengers across the Pacific Ocean than any other U.S. carrier proves the accuracy of their tagline “Now you’re flying smart”. Northwest Airlines built their esteemed reputation as flying one of the largest domestic route networks in the United States as well as carrying more domestic air cargo than any other American passenger airlines. Northwest Airlines flourished, eventually merging with Delta Air Lines Inc. on October 29, 2008, to continue offering premier flying services around the world.

1” X 1” METAL VINTAGE AVIATION LAPEL PIN

• Made with sturdy die cast metal
• Decorated with colorfast hard enamel
• Heavy duty back post and claps for secure fastening