The Leadership Experience Blog

Jacqueline Cochran was an American pilot and business executive who pioneered women's aviation—and she was one of the most prominent racing pilots of her generation.

Jackie Cochran rose to become one of history’s most accomplished female aviators.

As an aviation pioneer, her life was characterized by a series of “Firsts”: she was the first civilian awarded the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal; the first woman to break the sound barrier (1953); the first woman to break Mach 2 (1960); the first woman to pilot a bomber across the North Atlantic (1941); the first woman inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame; the first pilot to make an instrument landing; the first woman President of the Federation Aeronautique lnt'l; and the first pilot to fly above 20,000 feet with an oxygen mask; the first woman to compete in the famous Bendix Trophy Transcontinental Race across the U.S. (1934)—and was the first woman to win it (1938).

Cochran was the wartime head of the Women Airforce Serv

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Sir John Herschel: The Preeminent Astronomer who also Invented the Blueprint...and much more!

Sir John Herschel was Victorian England’s scientist, astronomer, pioneer photographer, and mathematician, often considered the equal of Sir Isaac Newton.

Among many other achievements, He was also a chemist and inventor, experimental photographer who invented the blueprint in 1842, which allowed for the rapid, and accurate, production of an unlimited number of copies of technical drawings.

Herschel originated the use of the Julian day system in astronomy. He named seven moons of Saturn and four moons of Uranus – the seventh planet, discovered by his father Sir William Herschel.

He made many contributions to the science of photography when it first emerged in 1839.

A full appreciation of Sir John Herschel and all of his contributions that continue to positively impact us today, however, can be gained with even a cursory review of his life story.

Early life

Sir John Frederick William Herschel was the only child of Mary Pitt and the respected, British astronomer, William

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Jacqueline Cochran: Aviation Pioneer

Sir John Herschel: The Preeminent Astronomer who also Invented the Blueprint...and much more!

Sir John Herschel was Victorian England’s scientist, astronomer, pioneer photographer, and mathematician, often considered the equal of Sir Isaac Newton.

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