I: Understanding Flight. - An Accident of History. - Aerospace in Adolescence: McCook Field and the Beginnings of Modern Flight Research. - The Changing Nature of Flight and Ground Test Instrumentation and Data: 19401969. - The Emergence of the Turbofan Engine. - Engineering Experiment and Engineering Theory: The Aerodynamics of Wings at Supersonic Speeds 19461948. - II: International Comparisons. - Wooden Airplanes in World War II: National Comparisons and Symbolic Culture. - American Aviation Technology: An International Heritage. - The Wind Tunnel and the Emergence of Aeronautical Research in Britain. - The Evolution of Aerodynamics in the Twentieth Century: Engineering or Science?. - III: Flight Economics and Culture. - Airframe Manufacture and Engineering Exchange. - Blaming Wilbur and Orville: The Wright Patent Suits and the Growth of American Aeronautics. - Who Designs Airports. Engineers Architects or City Planners? Aspects of American Airport Design Before World War II. - Pools of Invention: The Role of Patents in the Development of American Aircraft 1917-1997. - Epilogue. - Discussion Paper. - Contributors. Language: English