[omegajim]

Well, those guys could've technically crossed the ocean and after reaching Newfoundland, could've crashed into the ocean along the Atlantic coast.

Once in the ocean, the wooden airplane and all would have disintegrated in a matter of years. Maybe a couple of decades on the outside.

Don't quite understand how there would've been a "profound change in history." had Lindbergh not made it across the Ocean.

Let's see who made the next few developments in airplanes.......

Jimmy Doolittle.......flew several of the fastest planes, American
Jimmy Doolittle.......flew across the country on instruments, first person to do so, including landing the plane on instruments, American.
Wiley Post......flew higher into the atmosphere than anybody and developed the first pressurized suit to deal with the lack of pressure and oxygen, American.
Amelia Earhart....disappeared in the process that you could fly around the planet, a good chunk of which was done on instruments, and nearly succeeded at her risky venture, American.

Notice a common thread?

I find it amusing that with the exception of the Concorde, the United States has led the way in aviation for over 60 years.