[JoeF]

Thanks to Rick Masters for a link to what might be the most extensive set of flight photos regarding experiments supervised by Octave Chanute:
In article: Thanks to the research and provision efforts by colleague Simone Short

OCTAVE CHANUTE'S GLIDING EXPERIMENTS.
An ADDRESS* by OCTAVE CHANUTE, C. E., Mem. W. S. E.
(* Illustrated by lantern slides.)
Delivered 20th of October, 1897.

With remarks by Augustus Herring.

Published in the
Journal of the Western Society of Engineers, Vol.2, 1897. XX.

[Rick Masters]

The Post-Star
(Glens Falls, New York)
20 Jan 1977, Thu
Page 3

He flew his hand glider through the hair.        

[Frank Colver]

Bummer!

My Skysail burned up in the San Diego Aerospace Museum fire along with some fine historic aircraft.

We put these historic artifacts in museums thinking they are preserved forever but all it takes is one fire to destroy them.

Frank

[Bob Kuczewski]

I just found this excellent video linked on the World Hang Gliding Association web site:



Thanks to Simine for the video!!

Update: In reviewing this topic, I see that Joe had already linked to this video, but I had missed it. So I'll let this post be a reminder of how much rich hang gliding history has been entrusted to the pages of the U.S. Hawks forum - more than most of us can remember. Thanks to all who've participated.

[JoeF]

Two big books by Simine Short are must reads for deepening an appreciation of Octave Chanute

I thought you might like to know that my second book on Octave Chanute was published by Springer last year. Below is the publicity mailing from the publisher.

My second book on Octave Chanute is a must-read for all those interested in the evolution of airplanes. Its protagonist, Octave Chanute, is best known for his scientific and collaborative approach to the engineering problems related to the development of flight and for the support he gave to the many aeronautical pioneers, including the Wright Brothers. But, as the author clearly demonstrates, this engineer’s contributions in the aeronautical field have frequently been underestimated, even though almost every famous and not so famous aeronautical enthusiast contacted him and used the readily available drawings of his glider to build and then learn to fly in their own design. Chanute’s biplane glider design, developed and flown first in 1896 in the Indiana Dunes along Lake Michigan, proved to be a key step in the evolution of the flying machine. By freely sharing not only drawings of the general design of this aircraft but also the lessons learned, the biplane became the starting point or prototype for many experimenters and can be considered the foundation for the modern airplane. This book focuses on Chanute’s work in aeronautics. Not having the internet of today, he became the “post-box of early aeronautics,” not only because of his landmark book “Progress in Flying Machines” but also because of his strong connections to anyone and everyone who worked in the aeronautical field. He made a point of continuing to learn throughout his own life, and strongly believed in sharing knowledge, while fostering and mentoring all those who were willing to learn.