Just over a century ago, two brothers in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, made a momentous step forward for mankind. That famous flight by the Wright Brothers set in train a sequence of events that changed the world we live in. From tiny wood and fabric one-man flying machines capable of staying in the air for only a few minutes, we now have the option to fly to the other side of the world in hours – in company with hundreds of other passengers. The History of Aviation chronicles the evolution of aircraft of all types – private aircraft, airliners, helicopters, fighters, bombers and dirigibles. Throughout the book runs a continuous timeline, year by year identifying the first flights of the world's aircraft, plus the milestones in the history of aviation. This is illustrated with nearly 400 photographs, and for especially significant aircraft there are data tables, specifications and histories. Every significant aircraft type is illustrated. Add to this a concise history of aviation, biographies of the pioneers and innovators whose energy fueled this astonishing century of aviation advance, plus coverage of aircraft weapons and wars, and you have the ideal handy reference to the subject. The History of Aviation puts the key facts in your hands. Fully illustrated throughout, it makes a quick and easy reference for experts and enthusiasts alike, and a handy history for the general reader.