Carefully researched text, lavishly illustrated with over 250 photos, introduce early pioneers of flight: Otto Lilienthal, Samuel Langley, Octave Chanute, Louis Bleriot, the Wright Brothers, many other aviation pioneers.
An aviation expert uncovers the brilliance behind the first successful flight of an engine-powered plane In the centennial year of the Wright Brothers' first successful flight, acclaimed aviation writer T. A. Heppenheimer reexamines what Wilbur and Orville Wright achieved. In First Flight, he debunks the popular assumption that the Wrights were simple mechanics who succeeded by trial and error, demonstrating instead that they were true engineering geniuses. Heppenheimer presents the background that made possible the work of the Wrights and examines the work of Samuel P. Langley, a serious rival. He places their work within a broad historical context, emphasizing their contributions after 1903 and their convergence with ongoing aeronautical work in France. T. A. Heppenheimer (Fountain Valley, CA) has written extensively on aerospace, business, and the history of technology. His many books include Turbulent Skies: The History of Commercial Aviation (0-471-10961-4), Countdown: A History of Space Flight (0-471-14439-8), and A Brief History of Flight: From Balloons to Mach 3 and Beyond (0-471-34637-3), all from Wiley.
Young Orville and Wilbur Wright loved building things. From the fastest sled in town to the highest-flying kite, the Wright brothers’ creations were always a step ahead of everyone else’s. They grew up learning all about mechanics from fixing bicycles and studied math and physics. On December 17, 1903, Orville took off in the world’s first flying machine! The Wright airplane is one of the most amazing–and life-changing–
The pioneers of aviation. The firsthand account by the Wright Brothers of their early experiments with gliders and the first powered flight, and William J Claxton's account of early balloon flight and aircraft development to World War One.
Explore the remarkable life and legacy of Abbas Ibn Firnas, the 9th-century polymath and aviation pioneer, in Wings of Genius: The Story of Ibn Firnas and Early Aviation. This meticulously researched book delves into the Golden Age of Islamic science, uncovering Ibn Firnas' groundbreaking inventions, including his pioneering attempt at flight. Discover how Ibn Firnas, centuries before modern aviation, designed and tested one of the earliest known gliders, laying the foundation for future advancements in aerodynamics. Perfect for readers fascinated by aviation history, science, innovation, and forgotten geniuses, Wings of Genius highlights the cultural impact of Ibn Firnas’ flight on the scientific world. Packed with insights into aerodynamics, physics, and the global history of flight, this book is a must-read for anyone interested in the origins of human aviation, historical innovators, and the enduring quest to conquer the skies.
DigiCat Publishing presents to you this special edition of "The Early History of the Airplane" by Wilbur Wright, Orville Wright. DigiCat Publishing considers every written word to be a legacy of humankind. Every DigiCat book has been carefully reproduced for republishing in a new modern format. The books are available in print, as well as ebooks. DigiCat hopes you will treat this work with the acknowledgment and passion it deserves as a classic of world literature.
This fascinating firsthand account covers the Wright Brothers' early experiments, construction of planes and motors, first flights, and much more. Introduction and commentary by Fred C. Kelly. 76 photographs.