Joe Anselmo Editorial Director, Aviation Week Network
In the December 30, 1957 edition of Aviation Week & Space Technology, Editorin-Chief Robert Hotz launched a new tradition. On the magazine’s last page, he listed 21 “Laurels” — people and organizations that had made major contributions during that year. Hotz could scarcely have imagined that 67 years later the tradition would be continuing stronger than ever.
Over the years, the Laureate awards evolved from an annual shout out to a blacktie awards gala that draws hundreds of dignitaries to the U.S. capital each year to celebrate the industry’s triumphs and innovations. For a time, the awards were held at the National Air & Space Museum. Having outgrown that, the event has more recently taken place in Washington’s historic National Building Museum.
To celebrate the Laureates tradition, we’ve created this flipbook, highlighting one winner for each year. The list is not comprehensive, as hundreds of Laureates have been awarded over the decades. And some of our past selections might raise eyebrows today. But we hope it underscores the great history of the aerospace and aviation industry.
The next chapter of that history is already being written. The 2025 Laureate Awards will take place on March 6 at the Building Museum. For more information on the event, go to laureates.aviationweek.com. We hope to see you there.
