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PrintCollection Name: Drachen Foundation Collection
Collection Number: 2382
Post Type: Book
This item was entered by Matthew Sutton. They assume full responsibility for all content.
Artist or Author: Michael J. H. Taylor
Creation Year: 1999
Length: 0.00
Height: 0.00
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ISBN: 075370-165-0 Language: English Description: As we approach the millennium, with all the wonders of modern life about us, it becomes increasingly difficult to appreciate that the science of aviation has a lineage almost as old as recorded history itself. True, ascending flight without tether to the ground was only achieved by a manned balloon in 1783 and it took until 1903 for a controllable and powered aeroplane to fly; but it should not be overlooked that in the time of the ancient civilizations of Rome, Greece and China attempts had been made to fly using artificial wings and some important discoveries were then made.
China is attributed with the invention and practical application of kites from the second century B.C. although another 15 centuries would pass before the outside world would hear of tethered man-carrying kites through the stories of that remarkable European traveller and trader, Marco Polo. By then, China had forged still further ahead in matters aeronautical, having fought off armies using gunpowder rockets and been host to the first-ever parachute jumps.
A Chronology, with historic milestones detailed in order of occurrence, is perhaps the best way of presenting these events. It offers a silent commentary on human ingenuity, a fascinating insight into the creative minds of would-be aviators. Neither the fear of death, nor of failure and ridicule, stopped the march of discovery, albeit slowly at the beginning. Each tiny advance disentangled part of the mystery of mechanical flight that has led to today's stealth fighter and supersonic airliners. For, while man cannot ever hope to match the birds and bats of the natural world for pure muscle-related flying ability, a flair for inventiveness has allowed only humans to venture beyond the Earth's atmosphere and onto another planetary body.
116 pgs
Geographic: Europe, United States
Materials: Paper
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