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Aeroplane
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"The year 1913 became known as the "glorious year of flying"
History
Men have always dreamt of being able to fly like birds. As we see
back in time, the history of "Airplane" begins right from
hydrogen balloons to gliders, which is about two centuries
back.
Before that, men and women were trying to
imitate the birds. One of the most remarkable contributions were
made by Leonardo Da Vinci way back in the 15th
century, which was only recognized, in the 19th
century. He was chiefly preoccupied with bird-flight and with
flapping wing machines, known as the ORNITHOPTERS.
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This
problem of the balloon troubled a few scientists, notably Sir George
Cayley of Yorkshire, England also known as the founder of Science of
Aerodynamics. At the turn of the 19th century, he
conceived a glider (flying machine) with fixed wings and movable
control surfaces. |
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This became the
principle and fundamental concept of the airplane, by mounting
a kite on a stick with a movable tail. It was crude but the
idea worked and from that first glider, amazing machines have
evolved that allow us to conquer speeds even faster than
sound. |
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WRIGHT BROTHERS- Their contribution to mankind.
The American Aviators "Wright Brothers", Orville Wright and Wilbur
Wright, came in to the picture because of their increased
interest in the field of aviation. Their idea sparked off with the
invention of the toy helicopter. They are considered to be the
fathers of the first successful piloted flying machine- the
airplane. They put together the combination of critical
characteristics that is a powerful engine; a reliable
transmission and efficient propellers (electric fans); an effective
system for controlling the aircraft; and a wing and structure that
were both strong and light weight.
Orville Wright piloted the self-propelled craft called the
"FLYER", on Dec 17th, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. The
first flight traveled a distance of about 37m (120 ft). They
made a few more attempts and the third flyer, constructed in 1905,
was the world’s first practical and recognized airplane. It could
turn, circle, bank, make figure eight and remain in the air till the
fuel lasted which went upto thirty minutes on the occasion.
"The Flyer"
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