Description
Book SynopsisFrom the dawn of flight, Chicago has played a vital role in the development of aviation. Favored by geography and a superb network of railroads, the Windy City rapidly became the nation''s crossroad. Young''s richly illustrated history portrays the inventors, entrepreneurs, and aviators who conquered the skies and made Chicago the nation''s premier hub for air travel and transport.
Aviation''s colorful figures come to life as Young recounts tales of the pilots, patrons, and passengers who sparked public interest in the early days of flight. Beginning with Chicago''s first aviation event—a balloon ascension on July 4, 1855—Young traces the local personalities and technologies that helped make the dream of flight a reality. He offers the most complete account to date of pioneer Chicago aviator Octave Chanute, whose series of daring glider experiments led to international attention and a friendship with the Wright brothers, who sought his advice before their la
Trade Review
"Original.... A significant contribution to the field."
-William F. Trimble, Auburn University
"Truly impressive.... Young has a gift for weaving together historical facts about transportation and colorful stories of the past."—Joseph P. Schwieterman, DePaul University
Table of ContentsTable of Contents
Preface
Part I: Chicago at the Dawn of Powered Flight
1. The Balloons
2. Octave Chanute
3. The Flying Machine Comes to Chicago
4. The Aero Club
Part II: Chicago as a Growing Air Center
5. The First Airports
6. The Changes that War Brought
7. Early Commercial Aviation
8. Airlines Come to Chicago
Part III: Chicago—Airport to a Nation
9. Air Disasters
10. Emergence of Modern Airlines
11. The Airports
12. The Jet Age
Epilogue
Appendices
A—1911 International Air Show
B—Major Air Disasters in the Chicago Area
C—Intercity Travel Mileage
D—Chicago Airport Traffic
E—United Airlines Fleet
Notes
Bibliography
Index
