Norman Goddard and His Glider: Stanford, California, 1929

This rare black-and-white archival footage captures Norman Goddard, an aviation pioneer, with his glider at Stanford, California, in 1929—nearly a century ago—offering a nostalgic glimpse into early flight history. Filmed as a silent film, the footage shows Goddard photographed posing beside his glider, soaring gracefully in the air—sometimes towed by a car or plane—and sharing tender moments with his wife, Phyllis, on the ground, reflecting the personal side of his passion. Operating the 70-acre Goddard Airport in Palo Alto, Goddard tragically died in a glider accident in January 1930, cementing his legacy in California aviation. A haunting window into 1920s gliding’s golden age, this preserved gem grips history buffs, aviation enthusiasts, and Stanford alumni, offering a timeless peek at Goddard’s daring flights frozen in time.