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Book Cover
E-book
Author Short, Simine, 1944- author.

Title Flight not improbable : Octave Chanute and the worldwide race toward flight / Simine Short
Published Cham : Springer, [2023]
©2023

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Description 1 online resource (xxvi, 443 pages) : illustrations (some color)
Series Springer biographies, 2365-0621
Springer biographies. 2365-0621
Contents 1. How it all began -- 2. Flight is not Improbable (1853 - 1895) -- 3. Theory - Investigating - Practical Flying (1896) -- 4. Collaboration for Progress in Flying Machines (1898-1902) -- 5. Two Eventful Years of Intertwined Development (1903-1904) -- 6. The Persistent Experiments to Wing the Air (1905-1907) -- 7. Internationalism, Idealism and Materialism (1908) -- 8. New People, new Designs, new Ideas, new Problems -- 9. How Soon Can We All Fly? (1910) -- 10. Some Final Words
Summary This book is a must-read for all those interested in the evolution of airplanes. Its protagonist, Octave Chanute, is best known for his scientific and collaborative approach to the engineering problems related to the development of flight and for the support he gave to the many aeronautical pioneers, including the Wright Brothers. But, as the author clearly demonstrates, this engineer's contributions in the aeronautical field have frequently been underestimated, even though almost every famous and not so famous aeronautical enthusiast contacted him and used the readily available drawings of his glider to build and then learn to fly in their own design. Chanute's biplane glider design, developed and flown first in 1896 in the Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan, proved to be a key step in the evolution of the flying machine. By freely sharing not only drawings of the general design of this aircraft but also the lessons learned, the biplane became the starting point or prototype for many experimenters and can be considered the foundation for the modern airplane. This book focuses on Chanute's work in aeronautics. Not having the internet of today, he became the "post-box of early aeronautics," not only because of his landmark book "Progress in Flying Machines" but also because of his strong connections to anyone and everyone who worked in the aeronautical field. He made a point of continuing to learn throughout his own life, and strongly believed in sharing knowledge, while fostering and mentoring all those who were willing to learn.
Bibliography Includes bibliographical references and index
Notes Online resource; title from PDF title page (SpringerLink, viewed May 24, 2023)
Subject Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910
SUBJECT Chanute, Octave, 1832-1910 fast
Subject Aeronautics -- History -- 19th century
Aeronautics
Genre/Form Biographies
History
Biographies.
Biographies.
Form Electronic book
ISBN 9783031244308
3031244303