Fuselage and Compass Generator (1927)

A wide view of the bare tubular steel fuselage of the Spirit of St. Louis, featuring the Earth Inductor Compass generator mounted on the upper frame behind the cockpit. — Fuselage and Compass Generator (1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

A critical look at 1927 avionics. Donald A. Hall Sr. documented the installation of the Earth Inductor Compass generator behind the cockpit. This cutting-edge instrument generated the electrical current needed for Charles Lindbergh to maintain his headings over the featureless Atlantic without magnetic interference.