Atlanta in 50 Objects
A pink pig and a renegade cow. A movie prop and a Coke bottle. A Pulitzer Prize–winning book and a Nobel Prize–winning icon.
How do you tell the story of Atlanta in 50 objects? We decided the best experts were Atlantans themselves—residents who cheer the Braves and rue I–285 rush-hour traffic, who understand how Civil War losses and Civil Rights victories together helped forge the city’s unique identity. Atlanta History Center asked the public to submit what objects they think best represent their town. The parameters were broad: an object could also be a person, a place, an institution, or an idea. After receiving hundreds of submissions, History Center staff assembled a collection of fifty pieces that represent the themes identified by the public. In addition to items from our own collections, we have partnered with many local institutions and individuals to gather artifacts from around the city to tell this community–driven story.
Delta Air Lines
Founded in 1924 as an aerial crop dusting company, Delta Air Lines has grown to become one of the largest air carriers in the world.
First located in Louisiana, Delta moved its headquarters to Atlanta in 1941.
Over the last seven decades, Delta’s growth has paralleled and helped fuel the growth of Atlanta as a regional and national commercial center. In 1955, Delta pioneered the hub-and-spoke system of connecting flights. The company entered the jet age in 1959 with the introduction of the Douglas DC-8 into service along with their new triangular red, white, and blue “widget” logo representing the jet’s swept wing.
Stewardesses (now called flight attendants) were added to the flight crew prior to World War II. For many decades, stewardesses were required to be unmarried females and had to meet specific height, weight, and age restrictions. The earliest stewardesses had to be registered nurses.
Header Image: Atlanta Municipal Airport (now Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport), 1948. Kenan Research Center at Atlanta History Center, Thurston Hatcher Photographs
Flight attendant steps off a Delta Air Lines jet, 1969. Courtesy of Delta Flight Museum