Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

In the early twentieth century, Delta faced a significant challenge with the cotton-devouring boll weevil, a menace that wreaked havoc on the southern economy. Scientists responded by creating calcium arsenate powder to combat the pest. Huff Daland Dusters, a military aircraft manufacturer, played a pivotal role by constructing the first plane specifically designed to dispense poison from the air. The crop duster's success led to the company's rebranding as Delta Air Service in 1925. Just four years later, Delta embarked on its journey of carrying passengers, initiating flights from its hub in Monroe, LA, and gradually expanding routes across the southeastern United States.