Silver trophy presented to Harry E. Honeywell for "Greatest Distance Achieved" in the balloon race held at Peoria, Illinois, in 1909

Gift of Harry E. Honeywell
#25824

History
Harry E. Honeywell was an internationally know aeronaut who made more than 600 flights. A native of Ohio, Honeywell (1871-1940) made his home in St. Louis after serving in the U.S. Navy during the Spanish-American War. In a city where many were passionate about flight, he quickly learned enough to make his first ascent in a free-floating balloon in 1905. "It was a wonderful sensation," he recalled. "Language is insufficient to express it." Within a few years, Honeywell had become a seasoned competitor in regional and international contests. Although he was never seriously injured during a flight, his crash landings in isolated areas did lead him to colorful adventures.

Harry E. Honeywell traveled to many countries to participate in the James Gordon Bennett International Balloon Race. Though he never won the coveted first prize cup, he was a strong contender and won several medals and trophies. In 1913, he wrote, "the uncertainty of the outcome, where you will land, what you will see and the new adventures that you may pass through, are some of the alluring facts that make ballooning such a fascinating pastime."