FLYING MACHINES

When did our fascination with flight begin? Perhaps back when our species first walked upright and envied the birds soaring across the skies above. There was certainly an interest in this subject a hundred years ago when William James Jackson authored FLYING MACHINES, which he subtitled construction and operation; a practical book which shows, in illustrations, working plans and text, how to build and navigate the modern airship, and the book lives up to this declaration.

This week our country celebrated the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin's walk on the surface of the moon. In between Jackson's 1910 flying machines and the astronaut's 1969 lunar module, many dedicated people gave their time and talents to getting our feet off the ground in a better way. This effort continues and leaves us to wonder what progress we will see in another 40 years.

In the meantime, Jackson's book is on the shelf here in the Bullis Room and you're invited to pore over its fascinating pages and take an imaginary trip in an early-twentieth century "modern" airship.