Black Inventors Hall of Fame

The Black Inventors Hall of Fame (BIHOF) will design and fabricate a new exhibition centered on the Charles F. Page airship. The exhibition tells the story of Charles Frederick Page, an enslaved African American who overcame tremendous hardships. Despite being self-educated, Mr. Page became an expert carpenter and harbored a dream of achieving human-crewed flight. A replica of the airship he designed and built in 1904 will be the centerpiece of the new exhibition. The exhibit will use augmented reality technology to provide visitors with immersive experiences of piloting an airship that incorporates audio, visual effects, and narrated guidance from voice-over artists portraying Charles Page. As the airship soars, guests can experience a 360-degree panoramic view, embracing a perspective once denied to Page and his peers. By sharing the aviator story, BIHOF sincerely hopes to inspire a similar passion in young people to explore the exciting world of aeronautics.