Writing Assignment 2 Air Plane-1mvp18o
America’s Flying Machine
Help Received: References
- INTRODUCTION
Ever since the beginning of time, humans have been fascinated with the idea of flight. Ancient civilizations have documented observations and fascinations with the flying abilities of birds. Scientists like Galileo developed theories on flight based on mathematical calculations. Many individuals even attempted to build bird like suites in desperate attempts to fly. For these reasons, the development of aeronautical sciences has captivated the imagination of individuals around the world. In this essay, I will be examining the influence of airplane technologies on mail communication systems specifically in the United States. Although airplane technologies did not begin in the United States, physicist and scientists in the United States were able to take advantage of the emerging technology and develop a unique advanced industry on American soil. Although airplanes were used in military operations, the United States postal service was the driving factor for aeronautical advancements, due to the economic and social impact that air postal services created.
- Transportation by Air
2.1 Development of Flight
Although man’s fascination with air travel has existed since the dawn of time, the actual airplane has only existed for two centuries. The early physicists were stuck on the idea that in order to fly humans must recreate the bird structure in order to achieve gravitational resistance. This proved to be a daunting task due to much larger scale structure required to lift a dense human compared to the much less dense bone structure of a bird. For this reason, individuals began to look at other options for air travel. In the late 1700s, scientists, like Pilatre De Rozier, began launching hot air balloons in order to defy the laws of gravity. Eventually human air travel was born with the first manned hot air balloon flight by brothers Joseph and Etienne Montgolfier [1].
After the creation of hot air balloon flights, there was a desire for faster travel. Hot air balloons were limited in speed, carrying capacity, and maneuverability. Many physicist believed that a winged aircraft system would help overcome this challenge. Individuals saw the economic and military potential of air travel, and supported the research of air travel in order to overcome the negative aspects of balloon flight. It was not until the 19th century that the first fixed winged system was developed for air travel. In 1799, Sir George Cayley created the first plane for a fixed winged aircraft. Cayley’s first invention was just a model, and it served as a representative of the possibilities of air travel. After his ideas, spread individuals began testing fixed winged aircraft in an attempt to claim the sky for human kind. Eventually, in 1849 a young man completed the first manned flight in a glider that was designed by Cayley himself [2].
After this accomplishment, individuals began to push the envelope further. The next goal was to create an engine-powered flying machine that could transport individuals through the air. This would enable greater opportunities for air transportation in both the civilian sector and in the military. By 1874, Felix duTemple attempted the first powered flight driving a steam-driven monoplane off the end of a ramp. Other individuals like Francis Wenham and Horatio Phillips would follow in his footsteps in attempts to fly using machines. Finally, 1894 Otto Lilienthal completed the first controlled flight by using a small glider in which he used his weight to steer the structure. Inspired by this success the Wright Brothers in the United States began experimenting with aeronautical transportation [2].
2.2 American Flight
The goal of the Wright brothers was to develop a practical flying machine that modeled the steering capabilities of previous developments, as well as advanced traveling capabilities in order to serve specific functions. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright accomplished the first controlled, sustained, and powered flights in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Immediately following their initial success, the Wright brothers began developing new and more advanced products with hopes of commercializing their technological advancements. By 1905, the Wright brothers had developed what they considered a practical flying machine. Individuals across the United States began to develop their own airplanes based off the findings of the Wright Brothers [2]. In 1909, the Wright brothers created their own aeronautical manufacturing company that focused on airplane development [3]. This was a major step in American air travel, because it marked the industrialization of air transportation.
With the spark of the First World War, individuals across the world recognized the usefulness of air travel during wartime. This increased the United States’ governmental interest in air transportation technologies. Due to the distant involvement in the First World War, the United States fell behind other countries in airplane technologies. Many hypotheses that this was because the United States did not become involved in the war until later. While the United States was, involve however, airplane development and construction drastically increased. Aviation companies began to merge in order to increase aeronautical production, and improve the aviation sciences in order to compete with the European countries. For example, Glenn L. Martin’s aviation manufacturer merged with the Wright Brothers aviation company in 1916. They went on to produced thousands of war aircraft, and develop advanced air transportation technologies that would progress the industry drastically [3]. Very few of these airplanes and technological advancements saw action in Europe; however, these aeronautical advancements found a home in the field of postal service communications.
2.3 Interaction of Airplane and Postal Service
The world war sparked technological advancements and airplane production; however, the postal service industry brought those aeronautical technologies into the civilian world developing the airplane industry that now exists today. In 1918, the United States Postal service developed an airmail operation originally in an attempt to assist in the wartime efforts. Aircraft production and pilot training was increased for war purposes through this project. After the war, postal services obtained the advanced air craft designed for wartime travel to use for postal delivery. These airplanes proved to be useful, and they even transported mail much faster than the widely used train system. This form of postal transportation is noted as the first use of aeronautical sciences for commercial purposes. By 1924, airmail was able to deliver postage across the country in two days compared to the five days it would take by train transportation. The United States had a demand for faster communication that was filed through airplane mail transportation. Legislative decisions like the Kelly Air Mail Act of 1925 opened up the airmail industry to private companies. This commercialization of the airmail industry drastically changed the transportation industry; increasing private investments in airplane transportation. This increased private interest in air transportation developed by the postal industry saved airplane technology after the war [4]. If the postal industry did not pick up the aviation interest left behind after the war the United States airplane industry could have faded away compared to other countries. However, the United States was the first country to take advantage of airplane technologies in commercial settings. This had an impact on the economy, communication systems, and technological industry around the world.
- CONCLUSION
In summation, the aviation industry in the United States was greatly influenced by the communication needs of its citizens. Individuals wanted faster communication through postal services; which the airplane industry was able to accomplish. Although air travel began in Europe, individuals like the Wright brothers were able to take the aviation technology, and develop improved flight transportation systems. The First World War created a need for advanced airplanes, and following the war, the postal service took advantage of the scientific developments. The postal industry filled the aeronautical gap left behind after the war, and because of the communication needs of the United States the airplane industry currently has a great impact on the world economy.
RESOURCES
[1] “The History of the Hot Air Balloon.” Retrieved February 28, 2017 from http://www.eballoon.org/history/history-of-ballooning.html
[2] “A History of the Airplane” Wright Brothers Aeroplane Co. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from http://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/History_of_the_Airplane/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro/History_of_the_Airplane_Intro.htm
[3] “Aviation in American History” U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/aviation/nrb_aviation_II.htm
[4] Tom D. Crouch, Roger E. Bilstein and Others. “History of Flight” (January 8, 2016) Encyclopædia Britannica, inc. Retrieved February 28, 2017 from https://www.britannica.com/technology/history-of-flight/From-airmail-to-airlines-in-the-United-States
