Horizontal Air Traffic Controller Radar Display Plaque, circa 2001
Add to SetSummary
Federal oversight of air traffic control began in 1938, but radar technology -- greatly improved during World War II -- was not widely implemented until the late 1950s. Detroit Metro Airport received one of the first computer-integrated radar scopes capable of displaying an airplane's identification number and altitude directly on the screen. This plaque commemorates that unit, used from 1970 to 2001.
Federal oversight of air traffic control began in 1938, but radar technology -- greatly improved during World War II -- was not widely implemented until the late 1950s. Detroit Metro Airport received one of the first computer-integrated radar scopes capable of displaying an airplane's identification number and altitude directly on the screen. This plaque commemorates that unit, used from 1970 to 2001.
Artifact
Plaque (Flat object)
Date Made
circa 2001
Location
Not on exhibit to the public.
Object ID
2013.30.2
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of FAA / Detroit Metro ATCT.
Material
Metal
Wood (Plant material)
Color
Gold (Color)
Black (Color)
Brown
Dimensions
Height: 12 in
Width: 9 in
Length: .75 in
Inscriptions
on front of plaque: HORIZONTAL AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLER / RADAR DISPLAY / SERIAL #1, FIRST ONE PRODUCED. / DISTRIBUTED TO DETROIT METRO AIR TRAFFIC / CONTROL TOWER IN 1970. / THIS RADAR DISPLAY WAS IN USE AT DETROIT / METRO RADAR APPROACH CONTROL UNTIL 2001. sticker on back of plaque: PILOT PLAQUES, ETC... / INCORPORATED / [...]
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