Clara Adams is little remembered today but she was well known as
a pioneer of commercial aviation during the 1920′s, 30′s, and
40′s — and always as a paying passenger. Known as a “First
Flighter,” Clara Adams was aboard the maiden flights of the Graf
Zeppelin and Hindenburg airships, Pan Am Clipper flying boats,
and other early airliners, and she became acquainted with many
of the famous aviators of the day including Amelia Earhart
(picture). Mrs. Adams was married to George L. Adams, president
of the American Leather Tanning company, who owned a series of
tanneries in Pennsylvania. George Adams was 40 years older than
his young wife and died in 1929, leaving Clara a wealthy widow
with the time and money to indulge her passion for air travel.
First Time in the Air Clara Adams made her first flight in
March, 1914, in a Thomas flying boat piloted by Army Captain
Walter E. Johnson: “I was a mere youngster but it was an
experience that marked the beginning of years of flying. I have
never handled the controls and