Oddity of the Week: Santa Gets His Pilot's Licence

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Are you listening for the patter of tiny hooves on your roof? Would you call the cops if you heard them?

Santa Gets His Pilot's Licence

Santa gets a piloting licence from US authorities in 1927.

Question for Christmas geeks: How long has Santa had a pilot's licence?

Well, sure, he's been flying around since at least the Middle Ages. But it probably never occurred to people back then that he needed anyone's permission. But in the US in the 1920s, bureaucracy got involved. After all, you had to be licenced to fly a plane. So they made Santa get an official permit to deliver all those toys.

The historic moment was recorded for posterity by a photographer for the Harris & Ewing agency, and it is stored in the Library of Congress, which keeps all the really Important Stuff.

Happy Christmas to all, and rest easy: Santa has his goggles on. On, Dasher!

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Dmitri Gheorgheni

22.12.14 Front Page

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