History of Flight: From Aviation Pioneers to Space Exploration

Flight has gripped the imagination of mankind ever since our earliest ancestors stared in wonder at the birds and insects soaring effortlessly above their heads. From the mythical Vimana flying machines of ancient India to the stealth bombers and giant airliners of today, humans have pursued a tireless quest to ascend ever higher and travel ever faster, exploring the upper reaches of the atmosphere and beyond. The success enjoyed by the early pioneers of flight such as the Montgolfier and Wright brothers triggered frantic innovation and experiment, given impetus by the demands of warfare and commerce. The results have allowed humans to traverse continents in a single day, to set foot on the moon and to travel at supersonic speeds in conflict and at leisure. Illustrated with more than 350 stunning photographs and artworks, The History of Flight is an elegantly designed and exhaustively researched celebration of humankind's desire to conquer the skies. From the earliest musings on the mechanics of a bird's wings to the super- efficient computer-controlled aircraft of tomorrow, this book explores the way aviation has shaped the modern world. Profiling the many innovators who sought to roll back the boundaries of manned flight through endurance, speed, and danger, The History of Flight also covers the use of aircraft as a weapon, how air travel has shrunk the globe, and the contribution of space flight to our understanding of the universe. The final chapter gives the reader a glimpse of the role that aviation may play in the future.