A SHORT HISTORY OF AVIATON
By Shashwat Shrivastava
The first aircraft were hot air gas balloons. The French army used them in 1794 for observing enemy troop movements.
It was only in 1903 that the WRIGHT BROTHERS made the first successful flight. These planes were made of cloth, wood and wires,
and were powered by gasoline engines. They had two pairs of wings and were called "biplanes."
WORLD WAR 1 (1914-1918) brought many improvements in the design and performance of aircraft. Bigger and
more powerful engine-powered lighter-than-air aircraft with better maneuverability were developed.
During the 1920's and 1930's biplanes were replaced by aluminium monoplanes with increasingly powerful engines
and streamlined designs.
WORLD WAR II (1939-1945): The piston engine aircraft was developed and marked the first use of jet planes.
The British plane "Spitfire" (max speed 560 kmph and max height 40,000 ft) and the German plane "Merrerschimett Me 262" (max
speed 885 kmph) were the most advanced planes.
THE JET AGE: Aircraft technology made rapid progress in the 1950's, 1960's and 1970's during which period new
types of wings and structural changes greatly enhanced the speed and maneuverability. The long-distance non-stop military
transport and passenger aircraft with speeds greater than sound were developed. Speed of aircraft was now measured in MACH
( 1 MACH = the speed of sound in air).
During this period helicopters were developed. Helicopters were used for transportation of troops and goods,
reconnaissance and rescue operations.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS: "Stealth aircraft", having surfaces that deflect or absorb radar beams were developed, making
them difficult to detect by radar.
"Supercritical wings", which are thinner or flatter, were developed. These increase the speed and range of aircraft.
Aluminium was found to melt at a speed exceeding MACH 2.5 and was replaced in some supersonic military aircraft
by titanium, a heat resistant material.
Vertical takeoff planes were developed to land and take off from aircraft carriers.
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