Atmospheric Flight in the Twentieth Century

by Galison, Peter; Ronald, Alex

• ISBN13: 9780792360377
• ISBN10: 0792360370
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 1999-12-01
• Publisher: Springer Verlag

Summary

This book brings together scholars from the history of technology, history of science, engineering, sociology, and philosophy in an effort to better understand aeronautical research and the full range of mechanisms by which flight technology has advanced in the twentieth century. The book will 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. The book will appeal to scholars and college-level students in both the humanities and social sciences and in technical fields as well.

Table of Contents

Introduction	vii
Alex Ronald
Peter Galison
PART I: Understanding Flight
An Accident of History	3	(42)
Peter Galison
Aerospace in Adolescence: McCook Field and the Beginnings of Modern Flight Research	45	(22)
Peter L. Jakab
The Changing Nature of Flight and Ground Test Instrumentation and Data: 1940-1969	67	(40)
Frederick Suppe
The Emergence of the Turbofan Engine	107	(50)
George E. Smith
David A. Mindell
Engineering Experiment and Engineering Theory: The Aerodynamics of Wings at Supersonic Speeds, 1946-1948	157	(26)
Walter g. Vicenti
PART II: International Comparisons
Wooden Airplanes in World War II: National Comparisons and Symbolic Culture	183	(24)
Eric Schatzberg
American Aviation Technology: An International Heritage	207	(16)
Roger E. Bilstein
The Wind Tunnel and the Emergence of Aeronautical Research in Britain	223	(18)
Takehiko Hashimoto
The Evolution of Aerodynamics in the Twentieth Century: Engineering or Science?	241	(16)
John D. Anderson, Jr.
PART III: Flight, Economics and Culture
Airframe Manufacture and Engineering Exchange	257	(30)
Robert G. Ferguson
Blaming Wilbur and Orville: The Wright Patent Suits and the Growth of American Aeronautics	287	(14)
Tom D. Crouch
Who Designs Airports... Engineers, Architects, or City Planners? Aspects of American Airport Design Before World War II	301	(22)
Deborah G. Douglas
Pools of Invention: The Role of Patents in the Development of American Aircraft, 1917-1997	323	(26)
Alex Roland
Epilogue
Discussion Paper	349	(12)
David Bloor
Contributors	361	(4)
Index	365