She was the first woman to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic in 1932, she set many other flying records, and was the epitome of thirties glamour. She then confirmed her status as an icon forever by disappearing over the Pacific whilst attempting a 'round the world' flight. She is of course, the legendary Amelia Earhart. As a new Hollywood film opens based on her life starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere, we ask why Earhart lives on so powerfully in the imagination.