S. Sidney Pike Skywriting Corporation of America Collection
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Skywriting, defined as the process of writing a name or message with smoke from an aircraft against a blue sky, began in England after World War I, the brainchild of Major John C. Savage, Royal Air Force (RAF). His first successful demonstration was at the Derby at Epsom Downs, in May 1922, when Captain Cyril Turner wrote "Daily Mail" above the track. In October of that year, Turner travelled to the United States and wrote "Hello U.S.A." above New York City. Allan J. Cameron, along with Leroy Van Patten established the Skywriting Corporation of America at Curtiss Field, an American branch of Savage's original company. They acquired the patents for mixing the writing gas in the United States and as a result controlled the market for years. In 1923, using the Skywriting Corporation, the American Tobacco Company launched the first skywriting advertising campaign for Lucky Strike cigarettes. Pepsi-Cola Corporation became one of the longest-running contractors of skywriting; in the late 1930s and mid 1940s, it contracted or owned a total of 14 aircraft. In 1940 alone, Pepsi contracted for 2,225 writings over 48 states, Mexico, Canada, South America and Cuba.