The invention of the aeroplane redefined the way in which people travel, conduct commerce, spend their leisure time, and wage war. From the Wright brothers' wood-and-fabric Flyer to the modern jet aircraft, the aeroplane has evolved in countless ways as its many uses have unfolded. The development of safe and efficient air travel required solving multiple engineering riddles about aerodynamics, control, propulsion, and structures. This volume shows how the solutions to these riddles have helped spur dramatic changes in the world's social and cultural life. The topics covered include: how the aeroplane has become such an integral part of daily life; how it altered military doctrine, completely changing how modern wars are fought and won; the importance of government and society in the aeronautical revolution of the 1920s and 1930s; the revolution of jet engines that required new ideas in airplane propulsion and design; and commercial airlines and the effect of economic deregulation. The volume includes a glossary of terms, a timeline of important events, and a selected bibliography of useful resources for further information.