January Tech Talk on a special date – July 10th was centered around the new exhibit at the Santa Monica History Museum. The museum is featuring an exhibition until Feb 23rd: “From Biplanes to Bombers: Santa Monica Airport’s First Fifty Years, 1917-1967” The exhibit includes photographs and memorabilia of the World Cruisers, Amelia Earhart, Douglas Employees, and even displays the ribbon from the 1929 All Women’s Transcontinental Air Race!

Our event, co-hosted with the museum, was a panel discussion from Kim Furst and Randy Bresnik. There were about 50 people in attendance between the LA 99s chapter, sister chapter members, as well as members of the museum and the community at large.

Kim is the Director/Producer/Editor of “Flying the Feathered Edge” about famed aviator, Bob Hoover. The film won the Combs/Gates Award for the National Aviation Hall of Fame. She also edited the local aviation documentary “One Six Right” about Van Nuys airport. She was able to show us clips from her film about Bob Hoover and described her encounters with the legend.

Randy followed Kim with his personal story, as the son of Amelia Earhart’s photographer, to his career as a Veteran and test pilot for the LA Sheriff’s department thru his son, a NASA astronaut! The audience marveled at his phenomenal legacy and decades of service as an aviator. Following the panel discussions, there was a Q&A from the audience for both speakers, and the exhibit was opened to attendees.

What an inspiration to meet these two and have such an intimate viewing of the exhibit! The LA 99s were privileged to participate in this wonderful event.

A very BIG thank you to Vanessa Gibson, our Tech Talk/Education Committee Chair and Chapter Vice Chair for organizing this event! Another huge thank you to the Santa Monica History Museum for hosting the LA99s and other members of the community for us. Special Thank you to Kim Furst and Randy Bresnik as excellent panel speakers and for sharing their experiences with us.