BUILDING A GEODATABASE FOR THE AMERICAN AIR MAIL SOCIETY

Abstract

This project aimed to establish a foundational Geographic Information Systems technology base for the American Air Mail Society by creating a geodatabase to visualize the history of airmail and explore nationwide communication in the early days of aviation. It serves as a tool for the American Air Mail Society to better communicate, understand, and grasp various airmail related data, such as where airmail services were present in the United States and how it has changed. The project allows for analysis based on year, state, city, and specific routes, through its structured organization and integrated spatial data. The data conveys a glimpse into historical airmail operations, including Contract Airmail Routes from 1926, Transcontinental Air Transport routes from 1929, and Army Emergency flights undertaken in 1934. ArcGIS Pro was used to integrate the data provided by the American Air Mail Society, facilitating the visualization of routes through distinct symbology. Map layouts were created to showcase the three aforementioned airmail data sets in the geodatabase. This introduction to the visualization of the data yields a glimpse of the many opportunities of spatial data. It inspires the expansion and development of the American Air Mail Society’s foundation for ongoing historical airmail data visualization and analysis.