1939 Northwest Airlines Short Cut Route Folding Map and Souvenir Air Log
DESCRIPTION
An appealing blend of airline advertising, travel guide, and flight souvenir, this folding booklet promoted Northwest Airlines' famous "Short Cut" route between Chicago, the Twin Cities, and the Pacific Northwest while celebrating the excitement and novelty of air travel during the late 1930s.
Mapping the Northwest "Short Cut"
The verso presents three elongated route maps tracing Northwest's network across the Upper Midwest, Northern Plains, and Pacific Northwest. Cities, airports, radio beacons, and flight times are carefully plotted along the route, while charming pictorial illustrations highlight regional industries, wildlife, landmarks, and local culture. Native Americans, cowboys, fishermen, lumbermen, wheat farmers, and grazing livestock appear alongside scenes of logging, agriculture, mining, and outdoor recreation. Rendered in a warm palette of burgundy, yellow, and teal, the design promotes an idealized vision of the American West while emphasizing the destinations connected by Northwest's rapidly expanding air network.
A Souvenir of Flight
The booklet's recto is divided into six panels designed to transform a routine journey into a memorable experience. Presented as a "Souvenir Air Log," it encouraged passengers to follow their progress across the country while learning about the communities served by the airline. Included are a photographic collage depicting cities, scenery, and life aboard Northwest aircraft, detailed descriptions of each "Port of Call" along the route, and informative sections titled "Flight Facts Worth Knowing" and "Weather Terms." Together, these features helped familiarize travelers with the mechanics and safety of commercial aviation at a time when many passengers were still experiencing flight for the first time.
The Modern Miracle of Air Transportation
Among the booklet's most distinctive features is a blank flight certificate intended to commemorate a passenger's journey. Spaces were provided to record details such as highest altitude, average speed, and elapsed time, along with signatures from the Captain, First Officer, and Stewardess. More than a simple route map, the booklet served as both an educational guide and a keepsake, capturing a moment when airlines sought to transform air travel from a technological curiosity into a comfortable, dependable, and even glamorous way to cross the continent.
CONDITION
1200 W. 35th Street #425 Chicago, IL 60609 | P: (312) 496 - 3622