On July 12, 1957, Dwight D. Eisenhower (left) became the first president to ride in a helicopter.
Although experimental military helicopters had been tested since
1947, it was not until 10 years later that a president considered
using the new machine for short, official trips to and from the
White House. Eisenhower suggested the idea to the Secret
Service, which approved of the new mode of transportation,
seeing it as safer and more efficient than the traditional
limousine motorcade.
The Bell H-13J helicopter pictured on Presidents Day,2018.
