In the 21st Century, with over 400,000 airports around the globe and an average of over 100,000 flights a day all around the world it is worth taking a look back at how aviation developed from its origins to how we know it today in the modern 21st Century.
This is by no means a complete account of aviation history but I feel these events are key to its development.
In 1783 with the discovery of hydrogen, the Montgolfier brothers flew the first unmanned hot air balloon over France. That same year they flew a tethered piloted hot air balloon. Later that year the brothers made more history by launching the first untethered hot-air balloon flight. This flight flew about 9km and lasted around 25 minutes. During the 18th Century, hot air balloons became very popular. However, their main downside was their lack of manoeuvrability.
Airships were then developed and used hydrogen or helium gas to lift the airships into the air. The use of airships declined due to crashes involving these flying gas giants. The most notable crash was the Hindenburg disaster on 6th May 1937 when the airship caught fire and was destroyed. Airships were useful due to their ability to carry passengers over long distances in relative comfort. Some airships even travelled from Europe to North and South America on a regular basis.
From 1900-1902, the Wright Brothers designed and tested glider and kite models using wind tunnels. This allowed the brothers to successfully build and launch the first crewed heavier-than-air flight on 17th December 1903. This is the date that is universally recognised as the launch of modern aviation. On this date, they made 4 flights with the longest covering 852 feet in 49 seconds.
Italy was the first country to use aircraft for military use. They used airships for bombing, shelling and transportation during the Turkish-Italian war in Libya. Aircraft were first used in active combat on a large scale during World War 1. France became the leading aircraft manufacturer during the war producing over 68,000 aircraft between 1914 and 1918. During the Second World War, the military used aircraft for fighter bombers, strategic bombers, dive bombers and ground attack aircraft.
The release of modern computers aided design and software in the 1970s allowing for the development of improved aircraft designs. In addition, the introduction of composite materials such as seen on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner means aircraft weigh less leading to greater fuel efficiency.
What do you think is the most significant event in aviation history? Let me know by leaving a comment below.
I hope you like the history-based blogs. If you do check out my post on 15 Years of the A380 and the use of Aviation in the First World War.
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