A Pair of Aces

[Scott]

An ad from Air Power in September 1918. Eddie Rickenbacker and the Duesenberg Motor.

[AV8R]

Interestingly the ad uses the name "Richenbacher." Didn't Eddie Anglicize his surname to "Rickenbacker," to make it less German-looking, even before America's entry into the First World War? And didn't he continue to go by the name "Rickenbacker" throughout the war and indeed for the rest of his life? It's odd that the ad doesn't spell Eddie's surname the way he himself did at the time.

[josquin]

Originally Posted by nils d

Would he get paid for that?

You ARE joking, right? Rickenbacker was a pragmatist as well as a
future airline executive--charitable endeavors were not among his
strengths.

Josquin

[josquin]

Originally Posted by AV8R

Interestingly the ad uses the name "Richenbacher." Didn't Eddie Anglicize his surname to "Rickenbacker," to make it less German-looking, even before America's entry into the First World War? And didn't he continue to go by the name "Rickenbacker" throughout the war and indeed for the rest of his life? It's odd that the ad doesn't spell Eddie's surname the way he himself did at the time.

It appears that the copy editing was as lax at this time as it is today.
He did anglicize his surname from "Reichenbacher" to "Rickenbacker"
when he was a prewar race car mechanic and driver. It must have
been a late night for the copy editor who was, perhaps, aware of both
spellings. Intriguing ad, Scott--thanks for posting this!

Josquin