Born: 1901
Died: 1989
Biography:
Lillian Boyer (January 15, 1901 – February 1, 1989) was an American wing walker who captivated audiences with her daring aerial stunts during the 1920s. She pushed the boundaries of aviation and brought a new sense of excitement to the skies.
Born in 1901, Lillian Boyer grew up with a passion for adventure and a love for the idea of flying. As a restless young woman, she found herself working as a waitress in a restaurant, dreaming of the day she would be able to take flight. It was in 1921 that she got her first taste of the skies when two restaurant customers invited her for a joyride in an airplane. On her second flight, Lillian climbed out onto the wing, and from that moment on, her life was forever changed.
Embracing her newfound passion, Lillian embarked on a journey to become an aerial performer. She spent five months training with Lieutenant Billy Brock, a former World War I pilot and barnstormer. Under his guidance, she honed her skills and perfected her daring stunts.
Lillian quickly gained public acclaim for her exhilarating performances. She became known for her signature stunt called the breakaway, in which she would let go of the strut connecting her to the airplane and dangle by her hand or foot before catching herself and climbing back up again. Her fearless spirit and unwavering determination captivated audiences across the United States and Canada.
In 1922, Lillian Boyer achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the first woman to change from a speeding automobile to an airplane. This daring stunt showcased her exceptional skill and showcased her as a trailblazer in the aviation world. The Milwaukee newspaper of the time hailed her as without doubt the greatest thrill-producer since the days of the gladiators.
Throughout her career, Lillian Boyer performed in 352 shows across 41 states and Canada. Most of her performances involved wing-walking, where she would fearlessly walk on the wings of a flying airplane. She also accomplished 143 automobile-to-plane changes, adding another element of excitement to her already awe-inspiring acts. Additionally, she completed 37 parachute jumps, with 13 of them specifically done into Lake Erie.
Sadly, in 1929, federal regulations on low flying and unsafe planes forced Lillian and many other barnstormers into retirement. The golden era of wing-walking came to a close, and Lillian had to bid farewell to the skies she loved so dearly.
After her retirement from aviation, Lillian faced new challenges in her life. She experienced financial hardships, losing her savings in the stock market crash. To make ends meet, she worked as a hat-check girl. However, fate had more in store for her. She reconnected with a childhood acquaintance, Ernest Werner, and the two eventually married in 1937. They settled in Los Angeles in 1944 and later moved to San Diego in 1976.
Lillian Boyer’s remarkable feats and her pioneering spirit left a lasting impact on aviation history. Her determination to pursue her dreams in a male-dominated field inspired generations of women to believe in their own abilities and push the boundaries of what was considered possible. Lillian’s fearlessness and unwavering passion made her an icon, solidifying her place in women’s history.