Travel by airplane has a long and interesting history starting from the
first commercial flight in 1933 on the modern airliner, Boeing 247. This
important event made a definitive mark in the time line of aviation but
was only one of many major accomplishments. The following will highlight
a few of the fascinating landmarks of aviation history that punctuated
the last century.The Zeppelin HindenburgThe 1930s revealed the so-called
airship era of aviation history. The German passenger airship LZ 129
Hindenburg was one such example of the popularity of these. However, the
event surrounding this airship was a sad one as tragedy struck during
flight. Destined for Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Manchester Township,
New Jersey, the Hindenburg disaster occurred as the airship caught on
fire and crashed. Thirty-five fatalities were counted in this tragic
incident and needless to say, confidence in airships dramatically
decreased. News coverage broadcast the terrible news all over the globe,
essentially bringing the airship period to a sad close.Chuck Yeager
Breaks the Sound BarrierThe sound barrier was broken by Chuck Yeager in
1947, marking another big event in the history of aviation. Yeager was a
test pilot in the United States Air Force and flew the experimental Bell
X-1 at Mach 1. The aircraft was at an altitude of 45,000 feet when this
occurred. The Bell X-1 is on display in the Smithsonian Institution's
national museum for air and space. Yeager received more than one award
for this accomplishment, including the MacKay and Collier trophy in 1948
and a trophy for Harmon International in 1954. The Myra, West Virginia
native went on to bust through other barriers of sound and even altitude
years later.Boeing 747Fast-forwarding from Chuck Yeager's major
accomplishment to the 1970s, many people recognize the Boeing 747 and it
is often referred to endearingly as the "jumbo jet" of aircraft. Its
cargo transport and commercial flight role make it a significant part of
aviation history. This airliner, Boeing 747, made its first commercial
flight from New York to London in the early part of that decade. Major
airlines that use the model include British Airways, Korean Air, Japan
Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. The Boeing 747, apart from being
recognizable, is important in that it could carry such a large load of
passengers or cargo. In fact, it held the record for carrying the most
passengers for several decades.Aviation Continues to DevelopThe Zeppelin
Hindenburg crisis, Chuck Yeager's breaking of the sound barrier, and the
introduction of the Boeing 747 jumbo jet are just three of the many
turning points in aviation. While many more events exist on the
historical time line of flight, these events show some of the individual
pieces of the puzzle. Events like these have helped shape the history of
aviation and offer opportunities for learning and reflection. Flight has
come a long way and will continue to change and grow in years to come,
making it an exciting part of technology and history!
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