The Foltz-Up
Edith Foltz and her flying costume appear to be relatively unknown. She created the imaginative garment called the Foltz-Up in 1931. Advertisements declared that her smart day outfit easily transformed into a comfortable cockpit attire. The entire ensemble consisted of a blouse, knickerbockers, and a skirt. The skirt changed into an over blouse when pulled over the shoulders. Upon landing, the reverse occurred. Edith Foltz holds U.S. patent number 2080814!
Edith the Aviatrix
But more than this, Edith became the first woman transport pilot in Oregon and fifth in the United States. In addition, Edith’s skills allowed her to be the first woman to pilot a trimotor aircraft commercially. During WWII, Edith received the King’s Medal for Courage in the Cause of Freedom. The award represented her work as a transport pilot.
The 1929 National Women’s Air Derby
Edith Foltz participated in the first National Air Derby for women. The Clover Field to Cleveland changed how the public viewed women pilots. Edith placed second behind Phoebe Omlie in the CW or light class. She flew an Alexander Bullet C-3. Joseph P. Juptner wrote the following interesting anecdote about Edith, her dog, and the race.
Edith proposed to take her well-behaved German Shepard along for company. But, according to the race officials, it wouldn’t be permitted. The air race rules strictly specified “no males would be allowed to go along, or the participate in this contest!” Her four-legged friend, you see, could not go along, or participate because he was “a male dog!
Funny – and typical!