Inventor’s Success

S.E.5 Aircraft used by the RAF in WW1

SKYWRITING 1922

An article in the local Isle of Wight press of June 1922 stated that: Major J. C. Savage (John Clifford Savage) called Jack, late R.A.F who was connected with the firm of Messrs. Savage & Sons, bootmakers, was the pioneer of aerial writing in the sky which was adopted by the “Daily Mail” at the Derby on Wednesday 31 May 1922, when they stated they secured the world’s largest advertisement which was watched by millions. The name of the paper was written in silver smoke from the aeroplane flying at 100 miles an hour. The letters were more than 1,000 feet deep whilst the length of the two words extended three miles. It was proposed having a demonstration at various seaside resorts and probably the Isle of Wight would be included.

Advert IW County Press 1927

Note:
Skywriting was perfected in England in 1919. Major Jack Savage, former British Royal Air Force pilot and a writer for Flight Magazine, had a successful skywriting fleet of Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 aircraft in England. He flew throughout the 1920’s and 1930’s, taking the practice to America as well. The first recorded use of skywriting for advertising purposes was over the Derby at Epsom Downs Racecourse in the United Kingdom in May 1922, when Royal Air Force Captain Cyril Turner wrote “Daily Mail” above the track.

The family firm of Shoemaker’s that Major Jack Savage was associated with on the Isle of Wight was situated at 170 High Street, Ryde, then later at 185 and 186 High Street, Ryde. They also had a branch at Southsea.

Sources: IW Observer & RSHG Archive
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Article: Ann Barrett