From Library Journal
This book has been produced with the help and endorsement of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum. It is a success in every respect; the articles, contributed by expert and renowned aviation writers, are well written and accompanied by beautiful photographs. The book covers significant developments in flying from the Wright brothers to the jet age and includes a brief discussion of stealth technology. Each chapter traces the evolution of American and European aircraft--civilian and military, piston and jet, subsonic and hypersonic--in the quest for distance, speed, altitude, size, and excellence. There are interesting accounts of the aviation pioneers and good discussions of aircraft design, performance, and aerodynamics, and power plants. For those who can afford it, this is an excellent book, both fun to look at and a tremendous educational resource.
- William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Vocational-Technical Lib., Nashua
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
- William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Vocational-Technical Lib., Nashua
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Product Description
To fly! For centuries, it was the dream of humanity. The "Air Age" marked its centennial year in 2003. This milestone became an occasion to look back on the rapid advancement of aviation technology which continues to shape modern aircraft in profound and enduring ways--from Orville Wright steering his Flyer across a 120-foot course at Kitty Hawk to the modern-day commercial jet airliners. In the military, the primitive wood and fabric flying machines of World War I (1914-1918) have given way to the latest warplanes fitted with stealth technology, smart weapons, and instantaneous global communications. The spirit of innovation continues to spur new breakthroughs in aircraft design, propulsion, and computerized flight control systems. In all its remarkable detail, the complete story of aviation unfolds in this spectacular book. This revised edition offers a feast for the eyes in its wealth of full-color photographs and archival illustrations from museums around the world. Noted historians and aeronautical experts cover a different aspect of aviation's development in each chapter, including first-hand accounts by giants such as Charles Lindbergh and Chuck Yaeger. Edited in conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., the book includes an introduction by Michael Collins, former NASA astronaut and past director of the National Air and Space Museum.
--This text refers to an alternate
Hardcover
edition.
