Act Reading Test 1 Passage 2

- 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 - 40 45 - 50 55 60 - 65 - 70 Passage ll SOCIAL SCIENCE: For the Love of "Jennys” It would start out as a slight murmur from the distant sky, eventually causing the farmers in their fields to pause and perk up their ears. Slowly, the murmur would become a whining hum until finally, there was no mistaking the sound of an approaching Jenny. Hoes and rakes would be dropped. the milk cow would snort in defiance, and the farmers wives would run out to their expansive front porches. "They're coming, the barnstormers are coming! would be shouted out to anyone within earshot. Barnstorming was a phenomenon that developed after World War I, in the early 1920s. Aviation was still a novelty then. and due to a government surplus of Curtiss JN-4 biplanes (or ”Jennys`), many former World War l pilots were investing in private owner- ship of these aircraft. Since commercial airlines had not yet been established, there was a glut of well- trained aviators who were not anxious to give up their abilities or interest in flying but had few other options for making a living. Thus. barnstorming evolved. whereby these aviators could attempt to provide for their families by putting on aerial shows in little towns all across the country. Once a flyer had his plane, he needed a place to demonstrate his skills. So he would pick a spot on a map and buzz the area. looking for a farmer`s held to use as a temporary landing strip. Once he landed, the flyer would make a deal with the farmer who owned the land. After preparations were made, the pilot would fly into the town and drop handbills from his plane, advertising the upcoming event. An air show was coming to town! Generally. these early air shows included all sorts of high-flying stunts and aerial tricks, but the money came in by offering joy rides to the townspeople for anywhere from $1 to $5. Amazingly, few people were ever injured during these fast trips to the sky, and many pilots managed to earn a decent living. Every air show was different, depending on the particular talents of the pilot and his traveling group. Clyde “Upside-Down" Panghorn, for example, flew his plane belly-up and could even change from one position in the plane to another in midair. Many well- known aviators like Charles Lindbergh even started out as barnstormers. Lindbergh's particular talents were wing-walking and parachuting from his plane. Many flyers would don colorful costumes or dress as clowns while all those down below would hoot and holler with approval and excitement. There were speed racers, wing walkers. and parachutists. The crowds never knew for sure what new antics the flyers would come up with next. but they did know they would be greatly entertained. Most towns closed down for the day as these events were anxiously anticipated and attended by all. Barnstorming didn't last the decade, however, as government safety regulations sprung up and instigated the demise of this thrilling pastime- Some people felt that aerial stunts were far too dangerous. while others saw these daring pilots as a threat to aviation as a money-making proposition, even though commercial airlines had yet to develop. In addition, the leftover Jennys were rapidly aging and not being rebuilt by the government. This made the replacement of parts nearly impossible. Today, the tem1 barnstorming is often used when referring to touring politicians or entertainers who visit a large number of towns and cities in a short period of time; certainly. todays barnstorming pales by comparison to its namesake.