Avian Dreamers are the avian pioneers who contributed or sacrificed their life in achieving their flying dream. Many people were inspired by birds in the past and they tried creating artificial wings and feathers which could help them to soar like a bird in the air, but the attempt did not succeed. There are many mythological stories and historic evidences of mankind’s fascination for flying and the various methods and modes they used for flying.
Many books and theories are available which focuses on the step by step aviation advancements and sacrifices made by numerous avian pioneers.
The earliest form of known manmade flying object was a kite, which was used in China in 200 B.C. An incidence in China reports that a kite was used by the prince Yuan Huangtou, for his survival during a war. Another incidence in China mentions a General flying a kite to calculate the distance of their enemy’s location so as to build a tunnel. In 15th century various flying models were designed by Leonardo da Vinci, but practical evidences of those attempts did not appear. From 17th century, many incidences shows the practical approach towards flying objects using hydrogen gas, physics, mechanics, Newton’s law of motion and fluid dynamics theory. Tethered balloons and Hydrogen balloons were used during wars such as Battle of Petersburg and American Civil War; so that Solders can keep a track or spy their enemies. Various attempts were made to create heavier than air flights and mechanical flights using the study of aerodynamics and stream engine. Avian dream came true in the first decade of the 20th century, when Wright Brothers designed their first successful man made flying machine, which proved a remarkable threshold in the history of aviation.
Flight invention was the greatest revolution of the 20th century, and there were many further developments and advancements in the modern aviation technology. With the invention of flights, man can now travel on Moon, Mars and revolve around the world. Flights turned the method of traditional war, and it was excessively used during the World War I, World War II and Cold War; which completely changed the picture of traditional war. Many pilots and Solders met their enemy face to face in sky and some of them lost their lives in sky while fighting their enemies. There are various books which explains the bravery of American pilots such as Frank Luke, maverick devastator, Raoul Lufbery, Ace of Aces and Eddie Rickenbacker.
There were some reported flights and mysterious of flights where avian dreamers lost their life. In Alaska in 1935, the last flight of the world reported the loss of Will Rogers and Wiley Post. There was another incident which reported in the sudden disappearance of Amelia Earhart along with her navigator, which is the greatest mystery in the history of aviation. In 1930, Pilot Dorothy Hester survived the possible air disaster from an air show and she is termed as the ‘Queen of Stunners’ for her bravery. These are just few avian pioneers but many avian dreamers are reported in the history of aviation and modern aviation.
