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Up To Date

Kansas City History In A Vending Machine, And The 'Right' Way To Remember Amelia Earhart

By Steve Kraske,
Luke X. Martin
Published August 3, 2017 at 1:32 PM CDT
Harris & Ewing
/
U.S. Library of Congress
"Had it not been for the unsolved mystery of her disappearance," says women's history scholar Susan Ware, "we would remember Amelia Earhart for that 1932 trans-Atlantic flight." Earhart was the first female to make that flight.

People generally get their history lessons from a book or movie, not from a vending machine. Today, we learn about a novel way to put historical photos of Kansas City into the hands of City Market Park visitors. Then, Amelia Earhart's mysterious disappearance is what gets people's attention these days, but are we in danger forgetting her legacy of breaking aviation boundaries and encouraging women to follow their dreams?

Chris Dahlquist's 'History Vendor' installations can be found in City Market Park through mid-October. For more information, visit HistoryVendor.com.

Tags
Up To Date aviationhistoryphotographyKansas City Public LibraryBooksMissouri Valley Special CollectionsArts & CultureFeminismTalk Show
Steve Kraske
When I host Up To Date each morning at 9, my aim is to engage the community in conversations about the Kansas City area’s challenges, hopes and opportunities. I try to ask the questions that listeners want answered about the day’s most pressing issues and provide a place for residents to engage directly with newsmakers. Reach me at steve@kcur.org or on Twitter @stevekraske.
See stories by Steve Kraske
Luke X. Martin
As culture editor, I help you embrace what makes Kansas City fun and vibrant, whether it’s a championship sports franchise or a little-known wonder. I work with reporters to ensure KCUR stories on art, culture, and race fully reflect our diverse home so readers and listeners can take full advantage of what the metro has to offer. Email me at luke@kcur.org.
See stories by Luke X. Martin