Mapping the Air Age: CBS’s 1943 Polar Projection of the World
In 1943, as aviation reshaped the world during wartime, the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) released a remarkable educational map: “CBS American School of the Air, Air Age Map of the World, A Polar Projection.” Created by C.S. Hammond & Co., it accompanied CBS’s classroom radio program The American School of the Air during its 14th season (October 11, 1943 – April 28, 1944). This separate publication reflected a bold fusion of cartography, broadcasting, and technology.
A Map for the Air Age
The map uses a polar projection, centering on the North Pole to emphasize airline routes that defined the “Air Age.” This perspective showcased the world as newly connected by air—a striking concept in the 1940s as global flight and wartime logistics transformed perceptions of distance. Printed in color, the map distinguishes nations with vivid hues and clear typography, combining beauty and utility for classroom use.
Educational Design and Aviation Aesthetics
Two small hemispherical maps in the upper corners provide traditional east–west views, while the border features airplane illustrations that echo the theme of aviation. The top banner proudly bears the CBS title, and at the bottom, a CBS microphone emblem links the piece to its radio roots. An inscription lists the weekly broadcast schedule, covering geography, science, and world affairs—turning the map into a visual companion to daily radio lessons.
Teaching Through the Airwaves
Created during World War II, the map captures the strategic importance of air travel and communication. It helped students visualize a connected world and the growing global reach of the United States. The polar perspective mirrored military and aviation thinking of the era, when air routes across the Arctic had both practical and symbolic power.
Legacy
Today, the Air Age Map of the World is more than a teaching tool—it’s a snapshot of an era that celebrated flight, learning, and global awareness. Through its polar view and aviation motifs, it captures the imagination of the “Air Age” and the belief that technology could bring the world together.
Explore our reproduction of the 1943 Air Age Map of the World — available as a fine art print, canvas, or wood mount. View and purchase here.
