On Great White Wings: The Wright Brothers and the Race for Flight Book

The remarkable story of the tremendous Wright Brothers is re-created in this informative, enthralling resource. With accessible explanations and technical explorations, this documentation of the first successful flight celebrates the fathers of modern aviation and includes detailed and accurate depictions of the first airplane. Contemporary photographs complement the specially commissioned diagrams and schematics—offering a truly inspiring and educational ode to the brothers and their historic achievement.

Library Journal

The airplane, the first great invention of the 20th century, will be 100 years old in 2003. Through meticulous and methodical research, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright solved three major interrelated problems of flight the wing design, propulsion, and stability to achieve controlled powered flight in 1903. Aeronautics expert Culick (mechanichal engineering, California Inst. of Technology) and aviation author Dunmore (Squadron) explore how the first airplane, which the Wrights named the Flyer, actually flew. In a thrilling, very readable book, with over 200 photographs and illustrations, they show how the brothers designed the Flyer and improved on subsequent models, competed with other aviators, and pursued legal battles over patent rights to certain designs. Enthusiastic about the technical features of the first airplane, the authors plan to fly an operational replica on the 100th anniversary of the first flight. Recommended for public and academic libraries. Charles L. Lumpkins, Pennsylvania State Univ., State College Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information.