University of Wyoming
James R. Cunningham (1896-) was an aviator, airline executive, and aviation communications expert during the twentieth century. Cunningham learned to fly at the U.S. Army School of Aeronautics in 1917, then worked as a forest patrol pilot for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In 1926, he became a pilot for Pacific Air Transport, which soon became part of United Airlines. Cunningham held several executive positions with United Airlines, serving as general superintendent of Pacific Air Transport (1931), vice president of technical developments (1931-1934), and director of communications (1934-1961). During World War II, Cunningham served in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was also an active member of Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics.
Collection contains James R. Cunningham's personal files (which contain correspondence, papers, speeches, and printed materials), flight logs, and Cunningham's article manuscripts concerning aviation communications. Collection also contains a scrapbook compiled by Cunningham, loose correspondence, clippings, and military flight instruction materials. A few government documents, miscellaneous printed materials, miscellaneous periodicals, and a few of Cunningham's artifacts are in this collection as well.
There are no access restrictions on the materials for research purposes, and the collection is open to the public.
The researcher assumes full responsibility for observing all copyright, property, and libel laws as they apply.
There are no known other archival collections created by James R. Cunningham at the date of processing.
Partial finding aid available in repository.
Item Description, Box Number, Folder Number, Collection Name, Collection Number, American Heritage Center, University of Wyoming.
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