Tail Skid Bungee Mechanism (1927)

A close-up view of the Spirit of St. Louis tail skid mechanism, utilizing wrapped industrial-grade bungee cord for shock absorption. — Tail Skid Bungee Mechanism (1927) · Donald A. Hall Estate Collection

This 1927 photograph highlights the raw, functional engineering of the Spirit of St. Louis. To absorb the impact of landing a heavily fueled aircraft on unpaved dirt strips, Chief Engineer Donald A. Hall Sr. utilized heavy-duty industrial bungee cords to articulate the tail skid.