Incomplete Design: The Early Quest for Manned Flight

1. Incomplete Design: The Early Quest for Manned Flight Group 1 Skylur Jameson Peter Lheureux Marc Driscolli Rob Wong

2. The Beginning • Early engineers used abbreviated design process • Kites, gliders, balloons • Different goals were set • “Flight” vs. “Free, sustainable, & controllable flight” • Trial and Error concept had many obstacles & limited success • Health concerns and dedication • Wright brothers would design procedure to refine concepts • Included synthesis and analysis of design • Creative and logical • 17 December 1903 achieved and sustain flight

3. Lighter-than-Air Crafts • Chinese conducted first flight missions • Leonardo Da Vinci designed aircrafts & helicopters • Joseph-Michel & Jacques-Etienne Montgolfer’s hot air balloon • Jacques Charles launched first hydrogen balloon • August 17, 1783 & with passengers on September 19, 1783 • Pilatre de Rozier and Marquis d’Analandes had first free flight in a hot-air balloon. • Rozier became first casualty in manned flight • Balloons became very important for travel & other features • Propellers, engines, and frames added to balloon concept • Airships became new craze • Provided quick and safe transportation • Hindenburg ended the airship era

4. Heavier-than-Air Craft • Late nineteenth century brought attention to manned gliders & airplanes • Otto Lilienthal’s writings were foundation for aeronautics • Aviation Pioneers: Gustav Lilienthal, P.S. Pilcher, Felix du Temple, Alexander Mozhaiski, and Clement Ader • Samuel Langley was a central figure in the early 1900’s