Here's How Amelia Earhart Would've Looked In Color

Amelia Earhart has inspired adventure enthusiasts for almost a full century now. Her life, made even more extraordinary by the disappearance surrounding her presumed death, is forever embedded in the books of American aviation and in the hearts of little girls across the globe. Most known for being the first woman to fly solo over the glimmering Atlantic Ocean, this female pilot broke multiple records and challenged the boundaries of gender, sea, and sky (via History). Ultimately, Earhart's strides toward creating a space for women in aviation served as a launchpad for female pilots in 44 countries and counting. With sky mileage to count and oceans to sweep, her previous declaration becomes even more poignant: "What do dreams know of boundaries?" 

Visionaries of the future often turn to the past for sparks of innovation. Until recently, imagery of this aviation pioneer was only available in black and white. Lost at sea, memorialized in flight, here's a glimpse at what Earhart would have looked like in color.

Pitted against the backdrop of a rustic plane, Amelia Earhart's spiky, sunkissed brunette locks frame her face. Her subtly stained lips curl up into a charming grin that rivals the mystery of the Mona Lisa. Her cheeks are slightly rosy, letting off an air of exuberance and determination. But what really shines through in the colorized version of the photo is the glimmer in her eyes. The muted grays and whites in her wardrobe are the perfect contrast for the cheerful vibrance she so effortlessly exudes. Behind her, the silver wing hints at the oceans she looks forward to flying over once she sets her sights against a steely sky. 

In the aftermath of her South Pacific disappearance, the search for Earhart carries on (via Smithsonian Magazine). Colorizing her photos is a brilliant, new way to pay homage and capture her image in a different light. Thanks to industrious modern technology, history can now match the colors of our imaginations.