Logan Reel

10/26/15
Digital Essay Inquiry Project

Artist Statement
I chose to write about aviation because it is something I have always loved ever since I
was very young. As soon as I was able to realize what an airplane was, I liked them. As I got
older I sort of drifted away from my fascination with flight for a little while until last spring
when I started taking flying lessons. This immediately got me back into flying so much so that
now my long term goal to become a pilot or work in aviation in some form or another. So when
it came time to write about an inquiry topic it was a no brainer for me to choose aviation. For one
it is something that I really love and interests me as well as the fact that it has so much
information and can be taken into so many ways. I decided to go more into the historical aspect
because that is something that I have always found amazing and I really didnt know as much
about this as I would like so I thought this would be a good opportunity to learn. My purpose for
this essay was to write a detailed paper on the history of flight and take it a step farther by
stressing the importance and the impact has had on our lives. My intended audience is other
people interested in flight and anyone who wants to know how aviation as we know it has come
to be. I wrote this paper in a way that I would like to read it if I was looking for this information.
I just took all of the information I could find from my sources and put it together as well as draw
a few more connections that I think gives both a look at the past and an insight to what the future
might hold. I tried to keep a respectful and serious tone throughout this essay in order to show
respect for the people that made this possible and to make it an enjoyable read without too many
unnecessary side notes or distractions. Overall I am very happy with the way my essay has
turned out and am proud of my final product.

Aviation History
On a cold December morning on the windy outer banks of North Carolina, two men
changed the world forever. For thousands of years, man had dreamed of flying and after
countless failed attempts, Orville and Wilbur Wright did what at that point was deemed
impossible. At 10:30 am on December 17th, 1903, a twelve second moment in time launched the
world into a new era that is unlikely to ever end. They flew a self-propelled aircraft 120 feet.
This is one of the most legendary feats ever accomplished in the history of mankind. This was
not an isolated event, however, there were numerous men that came before them that pioneered
the possibilities of flight and there have been even more that came after them who have kept this
legacy alive.
The first evidence of man wanting to fly can be seen in the ancient cultures legends and
gods. This can be seen from the Greeks, Persians, and Alexander the Great. These include gods
that had wings or men who used mythical creatures or birds to carry them in the air. It also
included men who made their own wings out of certain material and actually took flight by using
their own strength just like a bird. While this was a long shot from actually taking to the sky, it
showed that man had that dream even in those days. This desire probably came from watching
birds and being inspired by them. While these were steps in the right direction, it did not get
them anywhere near leaving the ground.
The first actual device that man was able to put in the air came from the Chinese around
400 BC. It was the ever simple kite. They were quite elaborate and often used in religious

ceremonies or as a toy. They were later put to practical use in the form of weather instruments.
While they didnt allow man to fly himself, it was a major milestone because it was a manmade
machine that was able to get and stay off the ground and maintain flight. It was also important
because it started the evolution that eventually led to the hot air balloon and gliders.
For the next several hundred years, man took the invention of the kite and tried to come
up with a way to get themselves into the air. During this time, different people tried numerous
different methods of leaving the ground. These included some very questionable ideas. These
early pioneers and inventors took the inspiration from a bird too strictly at times. Many made
actual wings like birds that were made from lightweight, high surface area materials like a wood,
some used actual feather. They would then attach them to their arms and try to actually fly like a
bird by flapping them. These attempts at flight often ended in painful results, especially if the
pilot used an elevated perch as a launch pad. Nowadays we look back at these events and laugh
but at the time, this was something completely unexplored. Mankind was trying to transition into
something that had never happened before. This was the first effect flight had on human life.
You may think from the nature of the designs of the early attempts that the men doing
these stunts were not very smart but in reality, some of the greatest early thinkers had some
contributions to aviation. Leonardo da Vinci was the first to actually study flight. Over the course
of his studies he made over a hundred drawings that described his theory for how flight works.
Besides this, he also designed the Ornithopter in 1485. This was a flying machine that resembles
a plane or glider at first glance. The only difference is that it is powered by flapping its wings
like a bird. It is important to note that he only designed this, it was never actually built and
tested. Despite this, it played a massive role in modern day aviation because the helicopter that
we all know was actually based on the same methods that the Ornithopter uses for flight.

It wasnt until 1783 that the first actual flying machine was made that could carry people
into the air. Two French brothers, Joseph and Jacques Montgolphier made the first hot air
balloon. It was constructed from a large, decorative silk bag and a basket. A fire was lit and when
the heat rose into the silk bag, it became lighter than air and was able to rise along with the bag
underneath. The first flight conducted was taken by a sheep, rooster, and duck.

https://www.google.com/search?
q=first+hot+air+balloon&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS655US656&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAcQ_AUoA
moVChMI2tuK6LnhyAIVBVkmCh20kwGU#imgrc=vff3pgF1_SK3BM%3A

This flight took them over a mile and up to 6000 feet. With the success of this, man took to the
skies on November 21, 1783. It was maned by Pilatre de Rozier and Francois Laurent. This was
the first time man ever left the ground. This was a massive milestone in aviation. This had a huge

impact on flight because this is what got the ball rolling. Now men knew it was possible and the
only direction things could go from here onward was forward.
From the late 1700s to the 1850s, flying would transition yet again to a new stage.
George Cayley, an English Engineer, designed and built the first gliders ever. At some point the
first flight in one of Cayleys gliders was piloted by a young boy whose name we do not know.
He didnt stop there, however, for over fifty years of his life he continued to design and perfect
his gliders. Some of his features of these gliders are still vital applications that are found on most
if not all planes built today. He came up with the curved wing design for more efficient air flow
and lift. He also made the tail for stability during flight and tried a biplane style wing for more
strength. Cayley also found out that in order for a flight to last and any real distance to be
covered, an extra power source would be needed to keep the plane aloft. You could say that he
found the basic essentials for flight and pioneered the modern day aircraft and that is why he is
revered as one of the most important men in aviation. His findings and designs would later be
used by more and more pilots and aircraft makers.
Otto Lilienthal was a German engineer that took the glider design and gave it valuable
additions that would further carry the world into the skies. He was the first person to design a
glider that could fly a full grown person long distances. He attributed his inspiration for these
features to birds. He made several discoveries on flight and wrote a book that was published in
1889. This book was actually used by the Wright brothers later on when they were making their
historical flier. He made over two and a half thousand flights in his life but was eventually killed
in a crash when he was caught in a sudden wind that sent him crashing down to earth. Otto was
vital for flying to evolve. It can be clearly seen throughout the history of aviation that one
persons findings are built on by another. No one person can be given credit for aviation. It was

the joint efforts of so many men over time that allowed aviation to be discovered. This man
proves that point.
Samuel Langley was the next vital step. He was an American astronomer who realized
the importance of power to achieve a longer flight. So in 1891, he build the model of what he
called the aerodrome. This small aircraft ran on a steam powered engine and made a historical
flight that took it for three quarters of a mile until it ran out of fuel. After this he was given a
50,000 dollar grant to make a full sized aerodrome but when completed, it was too heavy for
flight and discouraged by his failure, he gave up trying to fly. While he wasnt able to make the
full sized one, he still was the first person to add a power source to an aircraft which was a
revolutionary achievement that would bring about a whole new era of flying.
The next major aviation event that happened is probably the most revered and well
known flights that has ever taken place. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright flew
the Flyer at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. This was the first manned flight ever and is what
catapulted the world into a new era of flight travel and usage that we still live in today. There
was a lot of work done by the Wright brothers that led up to this event. Before they attached the
twelve horsepower engine to it, they spent years studying the principle of flight and gathering
information by testing multiple prototype gliders until they found the one that we all know today.
When they had the model they wanted they finally took flight on that morning and in a matter of
twelve seconds, the world was changed forever. In total, The Wright brothers made four flights
that day until on the last one, a rough landed broke part of the plane and they had to send it back
to the hangar for repairs. The longest flight was 850 feet in 59 seconds. After this, they went back
home to perfect the design and 2 years later, they came back and Orville piloted the plane for 39
minutes and travelled 24 miles. Despite all of the others, this was considered the first actual

flight because it was an aircraft that had its own propulsion system and was able to maintain a
controlled flight for an extended period of time. This event caused more of a change than any
other event in aviation history. This was the first type of flying machine that could actually be
put to real use for transportation in an efficient and timely manner.

https://www.google.com/search?
q=aerodrome&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS655US656&espv=2&biw=1366&bih=667&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAWoVChM
I_NrO2LrhyAIVxyomCh3zIA2n#tbm=isch&q=wright+flyer&imgdii=nlEDFWhwRuyy2M%3A%3BnlEDFWhwRuyy2M%3A%3BO4Cj3lgHXrgFM%3A&imgrc=nlEDFWhwRuyy2M%3A

Ever since then, the world has been different. Man has taken flight and applied it to our
lives more and more. The first real uses were actually in World War 1. During this time advances
were made to aircraft but most of the public was scared to get into one of these planes. After the
war there was almost no usage of aircraft. The only thing that kept them alive was airmail. Over

time there were more and more technological advancements to aircraft making the public more
accepting of it and started using airlines. The first modern airline was opened in 1933 when
United Airlines bought 60 Boeing 247s. This is how the modern aviation world evolved and it
has had a massive impact on our world. Now we can make trips that used to take weeks in just a
matter of hours. This has completely changed the way humans are connected and has invaluable
benefits for

businesses, health, travel, and so much more. In a fast pace world like ours, we need a way to get
to point A to point B in a timely manner. There is no better way to do this than the airplane. Just
imagine a world without them and how hard life would be.

None of this would be possible without the brave men and women that pioneered flight.
The countless ones that devoted and sometimes gave their lives for this cause. No one person did
it on their own. It was the joint effort of inventors, engineers, and aviators over the course of
thousands of years to get a man into the skies and make flight what it has become today. They
knew what they were working for even if nobody else believed in them. Many of the earliest
ones that attempted flight tried without the odds in their favor. Some of them went against the
belief and advice of everyone else to accomplish what it was they needed to. If only the early
pioneers could see what has become of their dreams and know how their contributions have been
used, it would amaze them and they would be proud to know what has become of aviation today.
It is astounding to think that true aviation has been around for only one hundred years and
has made this much progress. We have come all the way from the Wright brothers at Kitty Hawk
to todays massive airliners making international flights with technology capable of allowing the
pilots to never have to look out of the cockpit in that short of an amount of time. Mankind has
made amazing progress. So much so that we have put man on the moon since the first flight. And
what makes it even more exiting is that our technology is only getting better. We have access
today to things that designers and engineers could have only dreamed of back then. The
possibilities are limitless. There is talk of completely new materials to build the planes with that
are lighter and stronger than the steel and aluminum that is used today. This would make the
airlines more fuel efficient which makes them more economically and environmentally friendly
as well as allowing them to make longer trips without having to refuel. Airliners are also looking
at new interiors for the planes fuselage. These new features are completely new seating designs
that are more comfortable and take up less room as well as being lighter. Designers are also

looking at the interior

walls to make

them more entertaining than a small window. Some are planning on making the entire thing
transparent for maximum viewing or making them appear to be see through but everything is
simulated to a time of day to reduce jet lag. The airlines are striving to make flying more
enjoyable no matter which section you are in from first class to economy third.
All of these new changes coming to aviation will certainly have an effect on the world
just like every other event has had so far. The only question is what will it be? The world has
changed so much because of aviation and it is very hard to think about how our lives would be
like today without it. There is no doubt it has been mostly for the good so far and there is no
reason to believe that it wont continue to benefit our lives ahead. It is natural for man to want to
fly. We have had these dreams for thousands of years and we are lucky enough to be the first few
generations that have had it readily available to us. For the longest time even after the first flight,
an average person could not just hop on a plane and fly like we can today. It is a very new
privilege. We may not know where the future of flight will take us or what surprises it has in
store, but one thing that we can be certain of is that there will always be brave men and women
ready to try new things and take flight, just like we have had for hundreds of years, and continue
on this dream of aviation.

Works Sited
Drye, Willie. "First Flight: How Wright Brothers Changed World." National Geographic.
National Geographic Society, 28 Oct. 2010. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
<http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2003/12/1217_031217_firstflight_2.html>.

"History of Aviation - First Flights." Avjobs Live Job. Web. 20 Oct. 2015.
<http://www.avjobs.com/history/>.
Shaw, Dr. Robert, and Tom Benson. "History of Flight." History of Flight. 12 June 2014. Web.
20 Oct. 2015. <https://www.grc.nasa.gov/www/k-12/UEET/StudentSite/historyofflight.html>.
Tyler, Tony. "How the Miracle If Flight Changed the World." Linked In. 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 20
Oct. 2015. <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/20140219123441-320834385-how-the-miracle-offlight-changed-the-world>.