AVIATION refers to the operation of an aircraft (including airplanes, helicopters, air balloons and dirigibles). There are two basic types of aviation: civil aviation and military aviation. Aviation has an extensive and very in-depth history - for example, in Greek Mythology, Daedalus who was an artificer built wings from feathers for his son so he could fly. Of course we can imagine what happened.
One of the first designers in the field of aviation was Leonardo da Vinci. In the 15th Century, da Vinci designed a glider that was eventually proven to be flightworthy; however, he neve did construct his own aircraft.
Through time, aviation has taken an extraordinary adventure in progressive construction. Aircraft has been built from feathers, canvas, wood, and today, from lighter materials such as aluminum.
The most prolific advancement in aviation was certainly the Wright brothers' flight in Kitty Hawk, NC in late December of 1903; proving that flight could be achieved with heavier than air crafts.
Astoundingly, Bulgaria was the first country to utilize aviation for military purposes during World War I. One of the world's most famous aviators was Baron Manfred Albrecht von Richthofen who is the known as the "Red Baron." A German ace of pilots, is said to have won 80 air combat missions.
Between 1918 - 1939, aviation made dramatic advancements by constructing planes mainly from aluminum. It was during that time, too, that Amelia Earhart, the first and only woman at the time to have crossed the Atlantic was lost in 1937 during a flight to Howland Island in the Pacific Ocean.Since then, our world has seen commercial jetliners take to the skies, as well as rockets and space shuttles.
As aviation continues to expand horizons of thrill seekers everywhere, who knows what tomorrow may bring!
For more interesting reading on Aviation, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aviation_history
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Aviation