The complete history of aviation : from ballooning to supersonic flight

A little more than a century ago, Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved the first powered, sustained, and controlled flight of an airplane, an experiment that changed the world. However, the principles of flight were established well before then, studied and tested by explorers and inventors worldwide. From the ancient Greek inventor Archimedes to the Wright brothers and beyond, humankind has sought to unlock the secrets of flight, finding a way for humans to defy gravity and slip the bonds that keep us earthbound. The History of Flight examines the origins of the quest, explains the mechanisms by which flight is possible, and tells the story of how aviation has evolved. Humans have long dreamt of communing with the skies and acquiring the ability to fly. The first experiments with balloon flight through the development of the Concorde and everything in between, aviation has transformed the way humans travel, especially over vast distances. This penetrating volume examines the various technologies and aircraft that have enabled human flight and includes a comprehensive section on the design and operation of airports. Presents A History Of Aeronautics That Covers Balloons, Airships, Propeller Driven Planes, Jet Planes, Helicopters, Hang Gliders, And Ultralight Aircraft, As Well As Information About The Airports That Are Created For Their Use. This volume examines the various technologies and aircraft that have enabled human flight and includes a comprehensive section on the design and operation of airports. --from publisher description Baloon flight Flight baloons and airships The invention of the airplane Pistons and propellers The jet age Helicopters, hang gliders, and ultralights Airports.