"Charles Nungesser and Francois Coli standing in front of ‘L’Oiseau Blanc’ in France." They attempted the transatlantic flight but failed.
May 1927. ​Central Press
On May 22, 1919, NYC hotelier Raymond Orteig offered $25,000 to the first aviator to fly non-stop from New York to Paris as a stimulus to the fledgling aviation business. 
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Raymond Orteig. herox.com
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May 30th, 1919. The New York Times
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Announcement of the contest. May 30th, 1919. The New York Times
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Chronology of the Primary Orteig Prize Competitors. 2002. Journal of Aviation/Aerospace Education & Research
By the time of Lindbergh's flight, six aviators died attempting the challenge.​

St. Louis Sponsorship

In 1926, Lindbergh approached several prominent St. Louis businessmen about sponsoring his flight. They provided $15,000 towards the cost.
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Charles Lindbergh (center) with Ryan Airline Company representatives in front of the Spirit of St. Louis before it left California. May 1927. Missouri Historical Society Collections
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"Sponsor Harold Bixby stands behind Lindbergh after his arrival at Lambert Field. June 1927. Photo by Russell Froelich." Missouri Historical Society Collections.
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Lindbergh partially financed his attempt through his air mail checks. The Cooper Collection of Lindberghiana

Custom built Ryan airplane

Lindbergh was controlled every aspect of the construction of his Ryan M-2 monoplane. This need for control would have an immeasurable effect on his and his family’s life.
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Diagram of Spirit of St. Louis. Cradle of Aviation
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"Lindbergh inspecting the Spirit of St. Louis" charleslindbergh.com
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"Attaching the wing to the St. Louis. April, 1927." charleslindbergh.com
"Usually the gas tanks were in the back on the Ryan plane. But Lindbergh had them moved to the nose, because if he crashed he didn't want to get crushed between the tanks. This also meant the plane wouldn't have a front windshield. So Lindbergh looked out with a periscope and through the side window."
-Rick Angler, ​Cradle of Aviation Museum; Personal interview, Dec. 27, 2018
"Lindbergh also had the empennage (tail assembly) remain as is despite other design changed. This made the plane less aerodynamic, but Lindbergh wanted this. If he started to doze off and the plane would dip, it would rattle and shake the plane so Lindbergh would wake up. He wanted the side window open so that the cold would keep him awake."
-Rick Angler, Cradle of Aviation Museum; Personal Interview, Dec. 27, 2018

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"Charles A. Lindbergh planning his trans-Atlanic flight, Ryan Aircraft factory, San Diego, CA, April 1927" Manuscripts & Archives, Yale University