Cow Milked While Flying in an Airplane Day is celebrated annually on February 18 to commemorate the day a cow named Nellie Jay, which later became Elm Farm Ollie, became the first cow to be flown and milked in an airplane. The event was part of a scientific effort to study the effect of height on cows’ ability to produce milk. In the 72-mile flight over Bismarck, Missouri, Ollie’s milk was put in paper cartons and parachuted down to the spectators to generate publicity. The trip was also meant to show the ability of the new Ford Trimotor aircraft that had only just begun shipping after its production began in 1925.
