| Description |
354 pages : illustrations ; 24 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [299]-339) and index. |
| Summary |
History has known few more inventive minds than those responsible for the helicopter, mankind's most versatile flying machine. From the aerodynamic artistry of Leonardo da Vinci, through the futuristic tales of Jules Verne, to the prototypes built by the horde of rotationally obsessed enthusiasts who followed, here is the definitive story of a modern icon. Proposing that humans could hover in the air by hanging a fuselage beneath large spinning blades requires a substantial leap of the imagination--not to mention a pile of precision gadgetry. This book bears witness to the challenge of turning the earliest "rotating wing" aircraft into the helicopters of today.--From publisher description. |
| Contents |
Introduction: "Why the Birds Sing" -- Preflight -- The Icarian sea -- A new natural power -- Breakout -- Automobile of the air -- Jules Verne in a suitcase -- Filling the sky -- The race -- The tyrant -- Operation Chopper -- Last man out -- Back in the world -- Chariots of the gods -- Something to watch over me -- The great stick -- Timeline of the helicopter -- Cast of notable helicopters. |
| Subject |
Helicopters -- History.
|
| ISBN |
9780553804478 hardcover |
|
0553804472 hardcover |
|
