Chicago Aviation: An Illustrated History

ISBN-13: 9780875803111 / Angielski / Twarda / 2003 / 264 str.

David Young

Opis

From the days of hot-air balloons to the jumbo jet age, Chicago has played a vital role in the development of aviation. The Windy City's geographic location and its fame as a maritime and railroad center made it the premier aviation hub of America since the dawn of flight. This richly illustrated history portrays the airplanes and the aviators who conquered the skies and maintained Chicago's reputation as the crossroads of the nation. Aviation's colorful figures come to life as Young recounts tales of the pilots, patrons, and passengers who sparked public interest in the early days of flight. Beginning with Chicago's first aviation event - a balloon ascension on July 4, 1855 - Young traces the local personalities and technologies that helped make the dream of flight a reality. He offers the most complete account to date of pioneer Chicago aviator Octave Chanute, whose series of daring glider experiments led to international attention and a friendship with the Wright brothers, who sought his advice before their landmark flight at Kitty Hawk. The Windy City's golden age of aviation began in 1910, when a group of wealthy flying enthusiasts formed the Aero Club of Illinois. Fascinated