Caroline E. Tapp, PhD, is a historian of 20^th century American culture and Curator of the Social and Cultural History of Aviation. These collections boast over 2,000 artifacts related to the public imagination of aviation and flight, including the Stanley King collection, Poster collection, kites, popular culture objects, ephemera, and civilian memorabilia.

Dr. Tapp earned a PhD in American Studies from the University of Texas at Austin. She received her MA in History and BAs in History and Anthropology from Miami University (Ohio). Her forthcoming book, Clouds Like Glass: The Deterrence and Determination of U.S. Women Airline Pilots, reveals the interdisciplinary history of women who achieved careers as permanent U.S. airline pilots from 1973 through 2001. She continues to pursue research and writing on the human element and cultural components of the aviation industry. Her research has been supported by the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation, the American Association of University Women, and the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Prior to joining the Smithsonian, Dr. Tapp served as a Department of Defense public historian with the Naval History and Heritage Command. She held the 2021 Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellowship at the American Philosophical Society Library and Museum and has worked in various public institutions and archives, including the Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center in Austin, Texas.

Positions

• Museum Curator, Aeronautics, National Air and Space Museum 2025 -
• Historian, Naval History and Heritage Command, USN/DOD 2023 - 2025
• Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Curatorial Fellow, American Philosophical Society Library and Museum 2021 - 2022