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On December 17, 1903, there was only one functional airplane in the entire world. That airplane was capable of carrying only one person, had a 12 horsepower engine, and the longest flight it ever made was a 59 second flight covering a distance of 852 feet. The airplane made its first and last flights on December 17, and then was destroyed when a gust of wind - as if angry at having been conquered by the impetuous little machine - snatched the airplane off the ground and rolled it into a collection of broken sticks and torn fabric. And the world was back to having no functional airplanes. But within a few years, there were dozens of airplane companies throughout the world, each churning out new airplane designs. Through war and peace, depressions and economic booms, the demand for new aircraft has been unceasing. Ongoing technological development has continuously assured the obsolescence of even the most successful of aircraft designs, incessantly clearing the way for newer designs to have their brief turn at the pinnacle of technological progress. At times, particularly in the first half of the twentieth century, technological advances happened at such a furious pace that new designs were scarcely able to make the transition from concept to construction before becoming obsolete. But it all began with that one, lone airplane in 1903. That airplane, of course, was the Wright brother’s first successful airplane, and though it never flew again, it was the spark which ignited an explosion of new airplane designs that continues to this day. Today, there are hundreds of aerospace companies worldwide. And while the pace of aviation technological development has slowed to more of a steady maturation rather than the adolescent-like burst of growth of the early days of aviation, the new designs and innovations of the modern age are more exciting than ever. In these pages, we will explore the many facets of aviation and aircraft development, from massive airliners to the smallest recreational aircraft. We’ll also take a look at some of the more recent innovations in aviation technology, and examine some of the cutting edge developments that will shape the future of aviation. |
