Western Museum of Flight – The Impossible Factory

Before Hollywood took center stage, Lockheed Aircraft Corporation made Burbank a powerhouse of innovation, employing tens of thousands and producing aircraft that helped shape the outcome of World War II. For many local families, Lockheed wasn’t just a workplace. It was a defining part of community life and a source of pride.

At the heart of this legacy was the legendary Skunk Works, founded by visionary engineer Clarence “Kelly”Johnson. This small, agile team revolutionized aviation with groundbreaking designs like the P-38 Lightning, U-2, and the iconic SR-71 Blackbird – each pushing the limits of speed, altitude, and imagination.

Join us as we celebrate the people, ideas, and ingenuity behind these achievements.