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RedditWhen space shuttle Atlantis launches next month on a mission to the International Space Station, a multicolored scarf worn by Amelia Earhart will be on board.
The neckpiece has played a poignant cameo role in the family history of first-time astronaut Randy Bresnik. His grandfather, Albert Louis Bresnik, was the personal photographer for Earhart from 1932 until July 2, 1937—the date of her disappearance near Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean.
The Hollywood publicity photographer met Earhart early in his nearly 40-year career. Her husband, publisher George P. Putnam, hired Albert away from CBS to serve as her personal photographer. “She liked him because it was not about him as a photographer,” says Randy Bresnik. “He was very young at the time, so she looked upon him as a little brother.”
During their five-year professional relationship, Albert took numerous images of Earhart, many uncredited (see the gallery above for a sample). “If you see a photo of Amelia Earhart wearing her lucky scarf, that photo was taken by my grandfather,” says Randy. Several months prior to her disappearance, Albert began shooting photos for World Flight, a book that Earhart wanted to write about her planned circumnavigation of the equator. Earhart even asked Albert to accompany her and her navigator inside her Purdue-funded Lockheed Electra 10E to photo-document the historic journey. But including another person, photo equipment and food would have added too much weight. “Fortunately for me,” Randy says, “he didn’t go with her on what became her final flight.”
Earhart and Fred Noonan completed 22,000 miles of their flight before they went missing. Albert packed away all his Earhart negatives and photographs to ease the painful memories. Although his farewell images of her were published in her planned book, renamed Last Flight, the photos themselves lay hidden inside his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif., until the 50th anniversary of her disappearance in 1987. “He found all these pictures,” says Randy, “including early ones of Lucille Ball, before she became a major star. But his favorite photos were those of one shy female pilot who befriended him.” Albert L. Bresnik died in 1993, but his negatives are still owned by the family.
The fashion-conscious Earhart always wore her lucky scarf and bracelet on long-distance flights. For some reason, though, the aviatrix left the accessories with her mother, Amy, before embarking on that ill-fated flight. According to Randy, his wife Rebecca came up with the idea to fly Earhart’s scarf on his first shuttle flight. Earlier this year, the astronaut picked up the memento from the Ninety-Nines Museum of Women Pilots in Oklahoma City, Okla., where it has been on display alongside Earhart’s pilot license ever since her mother donated it to the museum. “Please treat this with the respect it deserves,” Randy told NASA employees as he delivered the scarf for stowage on the shuttle.
A photographer himself, the 42-year-old astronaut and former F/A-18 test pilot is looking forward to “taking the time to enjoy the view” during his own around-the-world flight, targeted for launch on November 16. “Wherever Amelia’s final resting place is right now, we will be flying only 220 miles from her as we orbit the Earth,” he says. “It shows what a small world it is.”
Jill Michaels is a freelancer and screenwriter in Seabrook, Texas.
Comments
Randy, We're all rooting for you here on the ground. I'm glad you're finally getting your chance at space. The YAK is gone, but you're welcome to come fly with us anytime you get the chance. Plenty more toys in the toybox. Stay safe! Semper fi, Art "KAOS" Nalls LtCol, USMC (ret)
Posted by Art Nalls on October 23,2009 | 09:48AM
I currently live in, and have been since 1985.in the home Amelia Earhart lived in during the 1930's. The home is located at 10515 Valley Spring Lane North Hollywood Ca. I've heard that her photographer, Albert Bresnil took pictures of her in our house and courtyard. I am trying to get in contact with any one who night know where I could aquire copies of such photographs. Can you help me ? EDITORS' REPLY: Readers?
Posted by Harold Shafer on October 23,2009 | 04:59PM
Several years ago I purchased an original photograph of Amelia Earhart with Harry Manning similar to your example - Amelia with Harry. The photograph is signed by Harry as follows: "To Barney From Harry Manning With Best Wishes" I wonder who Barney was in Harry's life? (Obviously, a close friend of Harry). Do you have any leads or comment? Now I know, at least, who took the photograph. (It's a beauty - a close up - with Amelia and her lucky scarf with Harry on top of her airplane).
Posted by David Gosling on October 23,2009 | 07:35PM
With the new motion picture "Amelia" coming out today all over the country, writers are taking advantage of the opportunity to update us on old and newly discovered facts about this much loved aviation icon. The latest real news is the promising investigation by a well qualified accident investigator named Gillette at Nikumaroro Island, 400 miles southeast of Howland Island. Amelia Earhart will always remain a legitimate heroine. She deliberately sought fame as a means of proving that a woman could excel in aviation as well as a man. She was as fiercely independent in her private life as she was in her well publicized life in aviation. Yet she continues to capture the love of men and women everywhere.
Posted by Chatham H Forbes Sr on October 23,2009 | 07:57PM
What a great article! Well done!! I enjoyed reading all about the famous scarf especially at this time with the new "Amelia" movie just coming out.
Posted by Charlotte Whatcott on October 24,2009 | 11:05AM
I meant Albert the summer of 1987 at the Santa Monica Airport displaying his pictures of Amelia for the first time in 50 years. What a wonderful legacy he leaves with his grandson. Albert & Gabrielle invited me into their lives and it wast great to be able to spend time with them together. Look forward to meeting with you sometime.
Posted by Richard Campbell on October 28,2009 | 11:40AM
Randy, we are all so proud of you and love you so very much It will be thrilling to see you take your first flight into space with your Dad and many members of the Bresnik family. Only wished Albert could be with us. I know how proud he was of you. Sincerely Gabrielle Bresnik Albert Bresnik's widow
Posted by Gabrielle Bresnik on October 29,2009 | 09:38AM
This is so interesting. I am the niece of Gabrielle who was the wife of Albert Bresnik. My uncle was married to Gabrielle before he passed away and she then married Albert. I was lucky enough to have known Albert before he passed. We have one of his pictures of Amelia with her airplane that Albert generously gave us as a gift. I didn't know his grandson was an astronaut. We are proud to be associated with this family and will be sure to watch the news on the NASA flight in November. I can I think help Harold Shafer with his quest.
Posted by Karen Nickell on October 31,2009 | 11:54AM
Randy, Saw you on the scoreboard last Saturday--have a safe trip! Charles Kersey, Regt. Band Co. Citadel '84
Posted by Charles Kersey on November 9,2009 | 06:04PM