130 



A^ational Resovrces Planning Board 



lowing table 1 reflect increasinp; public acceptance of 

 improved service of our airlines. 



International Competition in Research 



The beginning of organized research was the forma- 

 tion in England of the Advisory Committee for Aero- 

 nautics in 1909 under the leadersliip of the great 

 physicist, Lord Rajdeigh. Government research labo- 

 ratories were later established in France, Germany, 

 Italy, and in the United States. From the first, the 

 best scientific brains throughout the world have helped 

 perfect the airplane. 



During the First World War the airplane grew in 

 importance and, bj' the time of the armistice, multi- 

 engined bombers were making night raids, pursuit 

 airplanes carried cannon and machine guns, and flying 

 boats were making all-day patrols at sea. Command 

 of the air became an objective of national efTort. 



The modern airplane is the result of increasing 

 knowledge of the aeronautical sciences, applied to the 

 Wright's original airplane. Advances in airplane per- 



formance and utility have followed, somewhat discon- 

 tinuously, new knowledge in aerodynamics, metallurgy, 

 structural design, fuel technology, and engine and pro- 

 peller design. The steps are sometimes abrupt as in- 

 ventions or applications occur, such as the National 

 Advisory Committee for Aeronautics cowl and wing 

 engine location, as well as the variable-pitch propeller, 

 and high-octane gasoline. W^ith every such step in 

 advance, the industry has expanded and employment 

 increased. The growth of the industry under com- 

 petitive conditions has accelerated the improvement of 

 the airplane. Manufacture in this country has now 

 become concentrated in strong concerns that maintain 

 outstandingly able engineering stafTs, with ample 

 experimental budgets and superlative test equipment. 

 For example, high-power aviation engines are currently 

 made by tliree concerns only and propellers by two. 

 In 1939 large air transports were sold by but three 

 firms. This concentration of skill and facilities has 

 come about because of free competition in an art that 

 is rapidly advanced by research. 



I » — I r 



I I I I I II 



I I I I I I I I 1— I r- 



600 



SOO 



4-00 



500 



ZOO 



too 



WORLD RECORO 



FOR 



/^AX/MUM speeo 



O O lANOPL/Kf^es 



O- - -O S£/\ PL/\N£S 



I I I 



/9/0 



ZO IS 30 'ss- 



Figure 22. — World Record for Maximum Speed 



4-0 



'4-5 



