Atmospheric Flight in the Twentieth Century

Bringing together scholars from the history of technology, history of science, engineering, sociology, and philosophy, this text seeks to better understand aeronautical research and the full range of mechanisms by which flight technology has advanced in the 20th century. The book should appeal to students of the humanities and social sciences as well as to researchers and practitioners of flight and aircraft design and engineering. Case studies range from detailed examinations of specific developments such as turbines and flight test equipment to investigations of patents policies and accident investigations. Most studies focus on United States experience, but there is some foreign coverage as well as international comparison.