The Airplane: A History of Its Technology (Library of Flight Series) [Hardcover]

John David Anderson (Author), National Air and Space M J. Anderson Jr (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1563475251 | ISBN-13: 978-1563475252 | Publication Date: January 2003

Commissioned in celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Powered Flight. The airplane is a system comprising aspects of aerodynamics, propulsion, flight dynamics, and structures. This book outlines the history of the technical development of the airplane. Richly illustrated, it moves the reader through time beginning with Leonardo da Vinci and forward to the present. In each chronological period, the various aspects of the synthesis of aerodynamics, propulsion, flight dynamics, and structures to the design of flying machines is described and critically evaluated.

Editorial Reviews

Review

...A stunning synthesis that goes far toward explaining the airplane's complex history during its first century of flight. -- Roger D. Launius, Smithsonian Institution

...Anyone who wonders how we got from there to here, in just one century, should read this book! -- Norman R. Augustine, Retired Chairman and CEO, Lockheed Martin Corporation

Product Details

• Hardcover: 364 pages
• Publisher: AIAA (American Institute of Aeronautics & Ast (January 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563475251
• ISBN-13: 978-1563475252
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 8.9 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #414,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Masterfully Conceived and Written, November 11, 2004

By 

Roger D. Launius "Historian" (Washington, D.C., United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Airplane: A History of Its Technology (Library of Flight Series) (Hardcover)

With the publication of John Anderson's seminal overview of the history of aerodynamics, "A History of Aerodynamics, and Its Impact on Flying Machines" (Cambridge University Press, 1997), the former Glenn L. Martin Distinguished Professor of aerospace engineering at the University of Maryland and current curator for aerodynamics at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum established himself as the preeminent interpreter of the history of flight technology in the United States. This book solidifies Anderson's stature with its outstanding analysis of the evolution of the airplane from its origins before the Wright brothers through the design revolution wrought by the advent of jet propulsion.

Anderson begins with an introduction that serves as chapter 1. He then offers six additional chapters chronologically exploring the development of aeronautics. These include: (2) aeronautical thought and research before the nineteenth century, (3) work during the nineteenth century but before the Wright brothers, (4) the efforts of the Wrights and their revolutionary Flyer, (5) the era of the strut-and-wire biplane which Anderson characterizes as "seat-of-the-pants" design, (6) the development of the mature propeller-driven airplane which the author considers the first design revolution, (7) and the second design revolution wrought by jet propulsion.

This work is written for the general reader, and Anderson does a fine job of communicating difficult concepts without reliance on jargon and a plethora of equations. There are a few of the latter, but they are kept to a minimum and the author takes pains to explain them clearly. This is also a large format book well illustrated with diagrams and photographs that do much than just decorate the text by serving to illustrate the principles of flight.

Anderson also does a good job of demonstrating the state of the art of flight at critical points in the evolution of the airplane. For example, while most people believe that Wilbur and Orville Wright "invented" the airplane, Anderson shows that the idea of the airplane predated them by centuries and that they inherited a considerable body of knowledge about the principles of flight. This, and their own work, enabled the Wrights to fly the first successful airplane. Others following in their footsteps significantly advanced knowledge about the technology of flight and brought us to the point we are now. Always, Anderson explores the evolution of the major technologies required for flight: aerodynamics, materials and structures, propulsion, guidance and control, and the systems and processes that guide the development of any airplane.

While there are no footnotes in the text, there is a bibliography and Anderson often refers to specific publications in his text. Prepared in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of powered flight, this is quite an excellent work and highly recommended.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It flies!, December 12, 2005

By 

Junfeng Xu "bookworm" (Palo Alto, CA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Airplane: A History of Its Technology (Library of Flight Series) (Hardcover)

This book is terrific. But let me introduce my background first, so you know my perspective. I have passed two PhD qualification exams (both at first try) in Material Science and Engineering, and Electrical Engineering in a top research university, but have never taken a class in fluid mechanics or aeronautics, or read any book on them. I got this book about a week ago, and have finished all of its 358 pages. Although an early sleeper, several nights I read it until 2am in the morning. This book is very clear, and no doubt is a masterpiece written by a grand master for everyone, unlike some books that were written by genius for genius. I have some trouble understanding the engines due to the lack of my background. I guess I need an introduction book on engine to make that up. Other than that, I would say I understand the rest pretty well. A little complaint here: the index sometime does not include some of the technical terminology. For example, I missed the definition of "camber ratio" the first time, and had a hard time to find it later.
This is the first book review I wrote, simply because this book is so good. Too bad the highest review one can give in Amazon is only 5 stars. This book flies way above it.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent coverage of the first 40 years, May 18, 2008

By 

Mr. Philip G. Pugh (Bedford, UK) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Airplane: A History of Its Technology (Library of Flight Series) (Hardcover)

This work covers excellently the first 40 years of flight, up to and through the golden years of the piston aircraft. That is unlikely to be bettered for a long time. The remaining period to the present is covered much less comprehensively, but remains an good introduction to the salient features of this -as seen from a USA perspective.