Airplanes: The Life Story of a Technology (Book Review)

Abstract

In just over one hundred years, the airplane has progressed from a wood and cloth single pilot contraption to the sophisticated advanced piece of machinery we recognize today. Whether it is used to deliver goods or passengers, to protect and defend, or to gather research and data, the effects of the airplane’s presence are highly visible on a daily basis. Jeremy R. Kinney documents the evolution of the airplane from its original conception to present day in his book Airplanes: The Life Story of a Technology. Kinney’s examination of the development of the airplane starts with the early conception and devices of flight and extends through modern day military, commercial, and general use. Through Kinney’s examination, he details the effects the airplanes development had on economics, politics, and culture of the time all while correlating the developments of the airplane to 20^th century history.