Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 01.djvu/70

AERONAUTICS Even then they did not spread their success broadcast, and it was only in 1908, after five years more of hard work, that they made a flight in public. But such news travels fast, and the world of science and invention was immensely stirred by what was permitted to be known. A school of enthusiastic experimenters sprang up in France, and practical results were soon shown by Blériot, Farnani, Delagrange and others, who by applying what they had learned of the work of the Wrights, constructed machines that made actual flights. The first officially recorded European aeroplane flight was made by Santos-Dumont in 1906. He flew a distance of 700 feet, remaining in the air for 21 seconds. In 1907 Farnam flew 2,500 feet in 52.5 seconds. In 1909, Blériot crossed the English Channel from Calais to Dover in 37 minutes. In 1908, the Wright brothers visited France and made flights of several hours' duration. They were showered with honors by the French Government and people. From that time on the art of flying took its place as an important factor in the world's life and progress. For the military history and uses of aeroplanes, see AVIATION IN THE WORLD WAR, below.

There are three leading types of planes in general use. The monoplane, as its name implies, has one plane surface; the biplane has two, one above the other, and is by far the most common; the triplane has three, and its value lies in the greater load that it is able to carry. The monoplane has extreme speed because of its lightness and can climb more readily than the others, but its management demands proficiency and involves more hazardous risks. It is unexcelled for sport or racing, but its inability to carry heavy loads detracts from its practical value. The biplane can adapt itself to almost any conditions of air and weather, and its strength and carrying capacity have made it the most popular type. The triplane is as yet little used, but it can be depended upon as a cargo and passenger carrier because of its strength. A combination of aeroplane and boat is the hydroaeroplane, that can navigate either element. Some of them carry single floats and others double floats, for the purpose of alighting on the water. Strength is a prime requisite in their construction, in order to enable them to withstand the buffeting of the waves. The buoyancy of the floats, in order to insure safety from disaster, should be double the weight of the machine when it is loaded to capacity.

During the World War the attention of the world was engrossed by the great conflict, and there was little time or opportunity for spectacular or long-distance flights. But with the cessation of the struggle there came in quick succession a series of endurance and distance contests that broke all previous records in the history of aviation. A class of airmen had been developed to