Artificial and Natural Flight

"Artificial and Natural Flight" by Hiram S. Maxim is a scientific publication written in the early 20th century. This work delves into the principles and experimental findings related to aeronautics, specifically focusing on the mechanics of flight, both artificial and natural. The book emphasizes the author's research and thoughts on flying machines, including the physics of flight, the study of air currents, and the mechanics of screws used in aeronautical design. At the start of the book, Maxim reflects on his lifelong fascination with flight, shaped significantly by conversations with his father, who had conceptualized a flying machine decades before. He discusses the evolution of his ideas, experiments, and personal observations that led him to conclude the best configurations for flight mechanisms—specifically, the need for effective screw propellers and aeroplanes. He challenges prevailing mathematical formulas used by contemporaries, asserting that his experimental data provides clearer insight into the principles of flight. Overall, this introductory portion sets the stage for a detailed exploration of aeronautical design and the underlying science of flight.