Lindbergh wanted to win the Orteig Prize and the impressive amount of cash came with the honor. This prize was created by French hotel owner Raymond Orteig for the pilot who could fly nonstop between New York and Paris (via History). Lindbergh got financial backers who helped underwrite the construction of a special airplane that he could use for what he hoped would be his award-winning flight, according to the Charles Lindbergh House and Museum. The new aircraft was built by a San Diego firm, Ryan Aeronautical Co. Lindbergh took the plane out for more than 20 test flights before he thought that it was ready for the transatlantic journey.
On the morning of May 20, 1927, Lindbergh prepared to take off. He hadn't slept well the night before; reportedly a reporter's loud card game had made it impossible for the aviator to rest. But that didn't stop him. Lindbergh took off in his specially designed plane, which had extra fuel tanks and lengthened wings, for the long trip across the Atlantic. To accommodate this heavy load, he had cut weight in other areas –- no parachute and no radio, among other omitted items. This idea of traveling light also seemed to come into play where food was concerned. Lindbergh only packed the bare essentials.
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