TY - BOOK AU - Gibbs-Smith,Charles Harvard TI - Aviation: an historical survey from its origins to the end of the Second World War SN - 1900747529 AV - TL515 .G35 PY - 2003/// CY - London PB - Science Museum KW - Aeronautics KW - History KW - Airplanes KW - fast N1 - Previous edition: London: HMSO, 1985; "This 2003 edition omits the quotations on flying, bibliography and conversion tables featured in the 1985 edition"-Page 6; Includes bibliographical references and index; Dreams, myths and devices --; From classical antiquity to the end of the sixteenth century --; The seventeenth century --; The eighteenth century --; Cayley, and the first half of the nineteenth century --; The 1850s and 1860s --; The 1870s --; The 1880s --; The powered prelude to practical flying: 1890-1903 --; The gliding prelude to practical powered flying --; The Wright brothers and the invention of the practical aeroplane: 1899-1905 --; The beginnings of practical aviation in Europe: 1902-08 --; The aeroplane as an accepted vehicle: 1909 --; Practical powered flying: 1910-14 --; The First World War: 1914-18 --; Between the wars: the first period: 1919-29 --; Between the wars: the second period: 1930-39 --; The Second World War: 1939-45 N2 - In this classic account, Charles Gibbs-Smith traces the story of aviation from the invention of the kite in China through to the beginnings of the jet age. In particular, the book gives a lovingly-reconstructed account of the experiments, disasters and successes in many countries which culminated in the achievement of a genuine flying machine by the Wright brothers in the United States. A large part of Gibbs-Smith's story also covers the early years of aviation before 1914. This period, rich in eccentric characters and extraordinary efforts, laid the foundation for future progress. The second edition of Gibbs-Smith's authoritative text, out of print for many years, is here republished with a number of new illustrations. It will delight a new generation of aviation enthusiasts. Book jacket ER -