Adolphe Pégoud of France was an aviation pioneer who flew Blériot monoplanes as a test pilot. He became famous for his aerial acrobatics but his stunts had a purpose: to find the limits of aviation safety....[More]
SOMERSAULTING AVIATOR:
Adolphe Pégoud of France was an aviation pioneer who flew Blériot monoplanes as a test pilot. He became famous for his aerial acrobatics but his stunts had a purpose: to find the limits of aviation safety. He was killed in combat in 1915 during World War 1 as a pilot in the French air force.
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Image: Scientific American, October 18, 1913
AIR LIMOUSINE:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia (then part of the Austrian Empire), designed and built the world’s first enclosed passenger airplane....[More]
AIR LIMOUSINE:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia (then part of the Austrian Empire), designed and built the world’s first enclosed passenger airplane. It carried one pilot and three passengers. The forward section was covered by aluminum skin and had celluloid windows for the comfort of the passengers.
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Image: Scientific American Supplement, January 18, 1913
SIKORSKY’S FIRST SUCCESS:
The Russky Vityaz (Russian Knight) was the world’s first four-engine aircraft. It was designed and built by Igor Sikorsky, then working in the Russian Empire....[More]
SIKORSKY’S FIRST SUCCESS:
The Russky Vityaz (Russian Knight) was the world’s first four-engine aircraft. It was designed and built by Igor Sikorsky, then working in the Russian Empire. It is hard to imagine this airplane, which looks like a flying ticket-booth, gliding through the air, but the airplane only flew at 56 miles per hour.
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Image: Scientific American, October 11, 1913
THE “SWALLOW”:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) named this airplane the “Swallow” after the swift-flying bird....[More]
THE “SWALLOW”:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia (now part of the Czech Republic) named this airplane the “Swallow” after the swift-flying bird. The airplane was considered a success at the time, even though in flight “the machine oscillates rather rapidly” (it must have been a very bumpy ride).
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Image: Scientific American Supplement, January 18, 1913
PROTOTYPE MILITARY AIRCRAFT:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia designed an aircraft with a distinctive bird-like look. The Taube (“Dove” or “Pigeon”) was taken by German aircraft manufacture Rumpler for use during the early part of World War 1, which broke out in July 1914....[More]
PROTOTYPE MILITARY AIRCRAFT:
Ignaz “Igo” Etrich of Bohemia designed an aircraft with a distinctive bird-like look. The Taube (“Dove” or “Pigeon”) was taken by German aircraft manufacture Rumpler for use during the early part of World War 1, which broke out in July 1914.
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Image: Scientific American Supplement, January 18, 1913
GNOME MOTOR:
The Morane-Saulnier War Airplane was designed for French military use. It had a round steel body and was driven by a fourteen-cylinder 100-horsepower motor made by Gnome of France....[More]
GNOME MOTOR:
The Morane-Saulnier War Airplane was designed for French military use. It had a round steel body and was driven by a fourteen-cylinder 100-horsepower motor made by Gnome of France. This particular motor was difficult to maintain and was underpowered compared with its competitors.
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Image: Scientific American Supplement, March 15, 1913
"KNOCKDOWN" ZEPPELIN:
Before World War 1, which broke out in Europe in July 1914, aircraft of all kinds were being designed for military use. One example was the “semi-rigid” Zeppelin V1....[More]
"KNOCKDOWN" ZEPPELIN:
Before World War 1, which broke out in Europe in July 1914, aircraft of all kinds were being designed for military use. One example was the “semi-rigid” Zeppelin V1. The parts, such as the keel sections and deflated gas bag, could be transported by wagon if needed. Our image shows the stern of the giant airship in its Dusseldorf hangar.
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Image: Scientific American, August 30, 1913
GORDON BENNETT CUP:
The owner of the New York Herald, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., sponsored several very important international airplane races. The one for 1913 was held in Rheims, France....[More]
GORDON BENNETT CUP:
The owner of the New York Herald, James Gordon Bennett, Jr., sponsored several very important international airplane races. The one for 1913 was held in Rheims, France. Our image shows the winner, Maurice Prevost, flying his Deperdussin Monoplane around one of the large pylons marking the course.
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Image: Scientific American, October 25, 1913
WRIGHT SEAPLANE:
Orville Wright, continuing in the flying business after his brother Wilbur’s untimely death from typhoid fever, designed this early seaplane with the help of Grover C....[More]
WRIGHT SEAPLANE:
Orville Wright, continuing in the flying business after his brother Wilbur’s untimely death from typhoid fever, designed this early seaplane with the help of Grover C. Loening. Early Wright models had the engine and propeller in a “pusher configuration,” a design that many considered obsolete by 1913.
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Image: Scientific American, December 13, 1913
AIRPLANES FOR ADVERTISING:
This advertisement for Fatima cigarettes appeared in our pages when we still advertised smoking tobacco (we don’t now). This image sets the scene with the latest in technology and fashion....[More]
AIRPLANES FOR ADVERTISING:
This advertisement for Fatima cigarettes appeared in our pages when we still advertised smoking tobacco (we don’t now). This image sets the scene with the latest in technology and fashion. The elegantly dressed aviator--with a leather safety helmet--is standing at ease in front of (I believe) a Blériot monoplane.
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Image: Scientific American, October 25, 1913
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It is important to remember that during this era there were many black male and female pilots and airplane builders. Such African American pilots and barnstormers Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license. She lived and performed in Chicago and she also moved and trained in France and the netherlands because white American men would not train her in the us.
She was admired by both blacks and whites. She primarily flew Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplanes and army surplus aircraft left over from the war. She made her first appearance in an American airshow on September 3, 1922, at an event honoring veterans of the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I. Held at Curtiss Field on Long Island near New York City .
In the 1920s, Cornelius Coffey and John C. Robinson met and overcame racial and sexual barriers to become self taughttechnicians and then licensed pilots and remarkebly they built their own planes that actually flew. This is scientific american and these brave innovators and American pioneers of the early 1900's aviation industry, are people who should be noted for thier scientific achievements in this era of aviation science . As a professor and scientist I must note that aviation history is a byproduct of multicultural American minds. Propoganda made us think otherwise, but this is well documented history I mention here. These americans died flying. They constantly inspired Americans and kids worldwide to think of limitless possibilities.
The shape of wings in the Etrich Monoplane "Swallow" reminds somehow the swept-back wings, that do suffer unstability under certain flight conditions, specially at low speeds, the North American jet fighter "Sabre" is reported to have been engaged in something pilots called "The sabre dance", that unfortunately killed some of them.
Fascinating. Thank you. The American Airmail Society publishes handbooks on the early transport of mail by air and the pilots and aircraft involved. There are also journals on the subject.
I too am also curious as to how well the Etrich "Limousine" could fly with that structurally deficient wing whose dihedral seems to have depended upon airflow. In a turn was the rudder's action supplemented by the outside wingtip naturally rising from greater speed and thus causing a slight banking action? The other point of interest for me is the very Zeppelin-like cabin with fine aerodynamics. This was a time when the flying speeds of both sorts of craft were similar and their abilities in harsh weather also highly compromised. It would have seemed reasonable for prospective passengers to prefer the Zeppelin, and such was the case. It was also in this year of 1913 that aerodynamic fairings of similar construction were banned from bicycles raced on velodromes.
Handicaps in CAPPS
Full-size Unmanned Aircraft Flies on Hydrogen Fuel
5 Comments
Add CommentIt is important to remember that during this era there were many black male and female pilots and airplane builders. Such African American pilots and barnstormers Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 – April 30, 1926) was an American civil aviator. She was the first female pilot of African American descent and the first person of African American descent to hold an international pilot license. She lived and performed in Chicago and she also moved and trained in France and the netherlands because white American men would not train her in the us.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisShe was admired by both blacks and whites. She primarily flew Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny" biplanes and army surplus aircraft left over from the war. She made her first appearance in an American airshow on September 3, 1922, at an event honoring veterans of the all-black 369th Infantry Regiment of World War I. Held at Curtiss Field on Long Island near New York City .
In the 1920s, Cornelius Coffey and John C. Robinson met and overcame racial and sexual barriers to become self taughttechnicians and then licensed pilots and remarkebly they built their own planes that actually flew. This is scientific american and these brave innovators and American pioneers of the early 1900's aviation industry, are people who should be noted for thier scientific achievements in this era of aviation science .
As a professor and scientist I must note that aviation history is a byproduct of multicultural American minds. Propoganda made us think otherwise, but this is well documented history I mention here. These americans died flying. They constantly inspired Americans and kids worldwide to think of limitless possibilities.
“Isn’t it astonishing that all these secrets have been preserved for so many years just so we could discover them!”
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to this- Orville Wright
The shape of wings in the Etrich Monoplane "Swallow" reminds somehow the swept-back wings, that do suffer unstability under certain flight conditions, specially at low speeds, the North American jet fighter "Sabre" is reported to have been engaged in something pilots called "The sabre dance", that unfortunately killed some of them.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisFascinating. Thank you. The American Airmail Society publishes handbooks on the early transport of mail by air and the pilots and aircraft involved. There are also journals on the subject.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisI too am also curious as to how well the Etrich "Limousine" could fly with that structurally deficient wing whose dihedral seems to have depended upon airflow. In a turn was the rudder's action supplemented by the outside wingtip naturally rising from greater speed and thus causing a slight banking action?
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe other point of interest for me is the very Zeppelin-like cabin with fine aerodynamics. This was a time when the flying speeds of both sorts of craft were similar and their abilities in harsh weather also highly compromised. It would have seemed reasonable for prospective passengers to prefer the Zeppelin, and such was the case. It was also in this year of 1913 that aerodynamic fairings of similar construction were banned from bicycles raced on velodromes.