The quest to go higher, faster, and farther during the first halfcentury of aviation. Hi, im jeremy kinney. Were going to go through a tour of some artifacts that really stand out in terms of this story of higher, faster, and farther in the history of aviation. But first i want to talk about the air and space museum overall. The air and space museum has over 8 million visitors a year between the National Mall building and the stephen f. Udvarhazy center. Were looking at over 500 aircraft and helicopters. Of those aircraft, about 67 are on display on the National Mall building. So, what supports these artifacts is up to 60,000 individual small and medium artifacts. But what were going to talk about today is the story of higher, faster, and farther, which is scene sooen as a cliche in many ways throughout the history of aviation but actually has a real meaning to it, in which we look at the people who made this quest of flying in the third dimension a reality. And so, the idea of flying
Theyre part of the original collection here in fact, and we were provided those during the period where we were destroying those launch vehicles in both russia and here. We have another call from steve in new york. Steve, go ahead, please. Caller hello, general . Is anybody on the other end there . Yes, we are. We can hear you. Caller hello . Go ahead, steve. Hello. Caller you know, when columbus sailed for america, he didnt know it at the time, but Queen Isabella funded his expedition. And they were looking for known treasure, a shorter way to the orient to get spices, and he collided with the American Continent by accident. And we know for a certainty that there on the moon and on mars theres not a blade of grass, theres not a glass of water, theres not a breath of fresh air. So, you know, you risk life and limb to go to a better ace. But we have that right here on earth. Why would we want to go there, moon or mars . Can someone explain that to me . Thank you for the call. Well, you
General jack dailey, thank you for being with us. We have a busy night. We appreciate it. The individual who runs this facility, the most Popular Museum in the smithsonian. Thanks for your time. Could i put in a plug . Absolutely. At 8 30 tonight eastern daylight time, were going to have an Opening Ceremony for our new exhibit, the boeing milestones of flight hall, right next door to where we are now, and its open to the public. Were going to stay open all night. So, if you havent got anything else to do tonight, even if you do, come on down, because the weathers clearing here. Were going to do it outside. Were going to have a grand time. And cspan American History tv is carrying it live. Were going to show you around. Thanks again for being with us. Sure. Were going to show you around this terrific facility, this museum, and some of the artifacts, oneofakind items only here at the air and space museum. Behind me you see the wright each week american artifacts takes viewers around the
Convinced powered flight was possible, British engineer Percy Pilcher perished trying to prove his point. If it wasn’t for a gliding accident he might have become the greatest name in aviation. Written by Nick Smith