<strong>90 years young</strong>: 2018 marks the 90th anniversary of Los Angeles International Airport, which opened in 1928 as Mines Field. The airport's most famous building is probably the Central Theme Building, pictured here in the mid-20th century.
90 years young: 2018 marks the 90th anniversary of Los Angeles International Airport, which opened in 1928 as Mines Field. The airport's most famous building is probably the Central Theme Building, pictured here in the mid-20th century.
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<strong>Busy airport:</strong> Today, LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. You're unlikely to get a personal greeting from an airplane pilot and a flight attendant -- like this driver of a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe did back in the day.
Busy airport: Today, LAX is one of the busiest airports in the world. You're unlikely to get a personal greeting from an airplane pilot and a flight attendant -- like this driver of a 1963 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe did back in the day.
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<strong>National Air Races: </strong>In 1936, the National Air Races, pictured, took place at Mines Field at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, the former name for LAX.
National Air Races: In 1936, the National Air Races, pictured, took place at Mines Field at Los Angeles Municipal Airport, the former name for LAX.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Past moments</strong>: At the 1936 National Air Races, stunt pilots performed on a glider. You won't see that at LAX anymore.
Past moments: At the 1936 National Air Races, stunt pilots performed on a glider. You won't see that at LAX anymore.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>LAX expert:</strong> When it comes to LAX history, no one knows more than the official airport historian, Ethel Pattison, pictured. A former flight attendant, she later worked in PR for the airport and now manages the collection at LAX's Flight Path Learning Center and Museum.
LAX expert: When it comes to LAX history, no one knows more than the official airport historian, Ethel Pattison, pictured. A former flight attendant, she later worked in PR for the airport and now manages the collection at LAX's Flight Path Learning Center and Museum.
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<strong>Aviation career</strong>: An advertising graduate from the University of Southern California, Pattison started working as an air steward in 1951: "I had a sorority sister that was a stewardess for United Airlines," Pattison tells CNN Travel.
Aviation career: An advertising graduate from the University of Southern California, Pattison started working as an air steward in 1951: "I had a sorority sister that was a stewardess for United Airlines," Pattison tells CNN Travel.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Team spirit:</strong> "I was inspired and so I was hired by United in 1951 in July and then I flew for a year and a quarter," says Pattison, who is third from the right in this group flight attendant picture.
Team spirit: "I was inspired and so I was hired by United in 1951 in July and then I flew for a year and a quarter," says Pattison, who is third from the right in this group flight attendant picture.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Grounded flight attendants: </strong>Back then, you couldn't be a married flight attendant. After Pattison's wedding, she had to stop flying, but she continued to work in the aviation industry: "I joined LAX in the public relations department," she says. <em>Pictured here: "Grounded" flight attendants in 1965. They acted as official guides to visitors at LAX. </em>
Grounded flight attendants: Back then, you couldn't be a married flight attendant. After Pattison's wedding, she had to stop flying, but she continued to work in the aviation industry: "I joined LAX in the public relations department," she says. Pictured here: "Grounded" flight attendants in 1965. They acted as official guides to visitors at LAX.
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<strong>Changing times</strong>: In 90 years, the biggest change the airport's seen, according to Pattison, is the advent of the jet engine. "It just made everything twice as fast," she says. <em>Pictured here: the United Airlines baggage check in area at Terminal 7, at Los Angeles International Airport in 1965.</em>
Changing times: In 90 years, the biggest change the airport's seen, according to Pattison, is the advent of the jet engine. "It just made everything twice as fast," she says. Pictured here: the United Airlines baggage check in area at Terminal 7, at Los Angeles International Airport in 1965.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>International contingent</strong>: During the Jet Age, bigger planes and better connections put LAX on the map. The international terminal was constructed in 1961. <em>Pictured here: In 1963, arriving international passengers show customs inspectors items they purchased overseas. </em>
International contingent: During the Jet Age, bigger planes and better connections put LAX on the map. The international terminal was constructed in 1961. Pictured here: In 1963, arriving international passengers show customs inspectors items they purchased overseas.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Exciting job:</strong> "It's always fun and interesting and in public relations that's where the action is," says Pattison. She greeted presidents, actors and musicians upon their arrival at LAX. <em>Pictured here: Western Airlines passengers wait for their baggage at LAX in 1963.</em>
Exciting job: "It's always fun and interesting and in public relations that's where the action is," says Pattison. She greeted presidents, actors and musicians upon their arrival at LAX. Pictured here: Western Airlines passengers wait for their baggage at LAX in 1963.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Meeting The Beatles</strong>: Perhaps most memorably, Pattison met The Beatles when they landed in LA in 1964. She's a keen photographer and captured the moment with her camera. "I just did it and then we had a professional [photographer], but mine were kind of similar but more candid in a way," she says.
Meeting The Beatles: Perhaps most memorably, Pattison met The Beatles when they landed in LA in 1964. She's a keen photographer and captured the moment with her camera. "I just did it and then we had a professional [photographer], but mine were kind of similar but more candid in a way," she says.
Courtesy Ethel Pattison
<strong>Iconic moment: </strong>Pattison even has a photograph of herself with Paul McCartney, pictured here. "I wouldn't dream that 50 years later my pictures would be of interest to anybody, but they are," she reflects.<br />
Iconic moment: Pattison even has a photograph of herself with Paul McCartney, pictured here. "I wouldn't dream that 50 years later my pictures would be of interest to anybody, but they are," she reflects.
Courtesy Ethel Pattison
<strong>Appealing airport:</strong> Pattison says LAX has all the makings of a special airport: "I think the bottom line is the weather out here is mild all around the time," she says. "So people come and then there's plenty to do, many attractions." <em>Pictured here: the TWA Terminal building at LAX in 1959.</em>
Appealing airport: Pattison says LAX has all the makings of a special airport: "I think the bottom line is the weather out here is mild all around the time," she says. "So people come and then there's plenty to do, many attractions." Pictured here: the TWA Terminal building at LAX in 1959.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Recording history</strong>: Pattison says she loves her job recording the stories and photographs behind LAX. "As long as I can be helpful I'd like to just help keep the history going that way and talk to people," she says. <em>Pictured here: Customers at LAX in 1950 could get a haircut before boarding the plane.</em>
Recording history: Pattison says she loves her job recording the stories and photographs behind LAX. "As long as I can be helpful I'd like to just help keep the history going that way and talk to people," she says. Pictured here: Customers at LAX in 1950 could get a haircut before boarding the plane.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports
<strong>Great spot:</strong> Pattison says the Flightpath Museum is the perfect spot in LAX. "It looks right out on the runway and you can sit outside -- with an escort -- and then just watch the airplanes land, taxi by," says Pattison. <em>Pictured here: Passengers walk on the moving sidewalk after the first plane arrived at the new LAX international terminal in 1961.</em>
Great spot: Pattison says the Flightpath Museum is the perfect spot in LAX. "It looks right out on the runway and you can sit outside -- with an escort -- and then just watch the airplanes land, taxi by," says Pattison. Pictured here: Passengers walk on the moving sidewalk after the first plane arrived at the new LAX international terminal in 1961.
Courtesy Los Angeles World Airports