A beautifully illustrated history of the iconic flying machines that have helped us soar through the skies. Perfect for child and adult aviation fans alike!

The story of flight is a fascinating one: from the earliest balloons and airships to the latest stealth jet, each breakthrough laid the foundation for the next. Trace the extraordinary history of flight in this strikingly illustrated guide, from the Wright Flyer to cutting-edge drones. Along the way, discover how the social upheavals of the past 240 years influenced the flight path: two world wars, equality for women and the fight against climate change. Finally, explore the incredible inventions that await us in the future.

Also available in this series on transport is The Story of the Car.

This book has been graded for interest at 9-11 years.

There are 48 pages in this book. This book was published 2019 by Hachette Children's Group .

Us Now is a design and illustration collective based in London. Their approach to design is creative, inclusive and distinctive. Jakob Whitfield has a degree in aeronautical engineering from Imperial College, and a doctorate in the history of technology from the University of Manchester. He lives with his family in the West Midlands, where he writes about aeroplanes and other topics in the history of technology.

This book has the following chapters:

• 4: Dreams of Flight
• 6: Birdmen & Ballooning
• 8: Floating on the Breeze
• 10: Inventing the Aeroplane
• 12: Flying as Fashion
• 14: The First World War
• 16: Sleekness and Strength
• 18: Spectacle and Adventure
• 20: The Second World War
• 22: The Need for Speed
• 24: Global Air Travel
• 26: Heroes of the Cabin
• 28: A Bag's Journey
• 30: Keeping the Skies Safe
• 32: Anatomy of an Aeroplane
• 34: Building an Aeroplane
• 36: Straight Up
• 38: Flying Without Pilots
• 40: Working in the Air
• 42: The Environment and the Future
• 44: A Short History of the Aeroplane
• 46: Glossary
• 48: Index