United States
On February 13, 1948, pilot Chuck Yeager received the Collier Trophy for his achievement as the first person to break the sound barrier. Flying the Bell X-1 aircraft in 1947, Yeager surpassed Mach 1, proving controlled supersonic flight possible. His recognition marked a key advancement in aeronautics during the postwar era. The feat inspired rapid growth in aerospace innovation and laid the groundwork for the U.S. space program.
