The Grand Designers
The Evolution of the Airplane in the 20th Century

Examines the historical development of the conceptual design process of the airplane through six case studies.

John D. Anderson Jr (Author)

9780521817875, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 22 March 2018

314 pages
23.6 x 15.9 x 2.6 cm, 0.64 kg

'The Grand Designers is an approachable and informative study for anyone interested in the history of technical design, iconic British and American aircraft, and the development of aeronautical engineering.' Marc J. Alsina, Technology and Culture

The airplane has experienced phenomenal advancement in the twentieth century, changing at an exponential rate from the Wright brothers to the present day. In this ground breaking work based on new research, Dr John D. Anderson, Jr, a curator at the National Air and Space Museum, analyzes the historical development of the conceptual design process of the airplane. He aims to answer the question of whether airplane advancement has been driven by a parallel advancement in the intellectual methodology of conceptual airplane design. In doing so, Anderson identifies and examines six case histories of 'grand designers' in this field, and challenges some of the preconceived notions of how the intellectual methodology of conceptual airplane design advanced. Filled with over one hundred illustrations which bring his words to life, Anderson unfolds the lives and thoughts of these grand designers.

1. Introduction: before the beginning
2. The beginning: the Wright Brothers and their design process
3. Setting the gold standard: the design methodology of Frank Barnwell
4. Products of the first design revolution: Arthur Raymond and the DC-3
5. Design for speed: R. J. Mitchell and the Spitfire
6. Design perfection: Edgar Schmued and the P-51 Mustang
7. Defying the limits: the jet airplane, the second design revolution, and Kelly Johnson
8. Airplane design and the grand designers: the end game
Appendices
References and notes
Index.

Subject Areas: History of engineering & technology [TBX], 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000 [HBLW]