A narrative history of the development of human flight discusses how the enthusiasm of various amateurs gave way to the aviation industry, citing the periods of setback and danger that marked the achievements of numerous flight pioneers. Reprint. 15,000 first printing.

First Flight   This compact National Parks Service Handbook describes the lives of America’s first pilots, the Wright brothers, and their invention of the first successful heavier-than-air-machine--the airplane. In addition to their personal history, the book describes sites where the brothers conducted their experiments, such as Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina.  It also describes their development of the first “practical” airplane–the 1905 Wright Flyer III, preserved today at the Aviation Heritage National Historical Park, Huffman Prairie Flying Field in Dayton, Ohio.  Illustrations tracing the Wrights’ progress, maps, and a fold-out chart depicting the 1903 Wright Flyer and the principles of flight make this publication an indispensable guide to the Wright brothers’ story.     

Describes the early experiments of American inventors and scientists, such as Octave Chanute, Samuel Langley, and August Herring, and how they paved the way for the Wright brothers. Reprint. (view table of contents)

A compelling history of humankind's quest for the stars begins with the rocketry experiments of Wenher von Braun and others, and vividly recalls the Cold War space race that culminated in a manned moon mission and three decades of exploring the solar system. (view table of contents)

Examines NASA's space-shuttle program, discussing weightlessness, space exploration, and what a launch feels like

Tells the story of the Wright brothers who invented to first airplane

Examines NASA's space-shuttle program, discussing weightlessness, space exploration, and what a launch feels like

Surveys the history of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and describes its structure, current functions, and influence on our society

Traces the history of the flights of Americans in balloons and examines the use of balloons in scientific experiments

Offers views of Lindbergh as pilot, technologist, ecologist, political commentator, and philosopher, assessing his multifaceted impact on American life