ABSTRACT
The birth of air cargo Apart from some often unsuccessful experiments with hot air balloons, it is generally agreed that true air freight was fi rst employed to carry postal shipments in the US. The initial US airmail service was conducted during an aviation meeting at Nassau Boulevard, Long Island, New York the week beginning 23 September 1911. During this period Earle L. Ovington, with his ‘Queen’ monoplane, was appointed as an airmail carrier fl ying the route between the temporary post offi ce established at a fl ying fi eld on Long Island and the post offi ce at Mineola. Some 37,000 pieces were delivered by the service.
