Barriers to American Military Aviation Technology Prior to World War One

Abstract

Abstract : The purpose of this research is to determine what barriers stood in the way of U.S. military aviation technology in the years preceding its entry into World War One, and how they dealt with these barriers. In addition, we will take a brief glimpse at how similar barriers could affect the future of U.S. military aviation as we move into the post Cold War world. The main reason for investigating this topic is to provide a single document setting forth some of the pitfalls, barriers, and attitudes that caused the United States to miss out on advances in aviation aerial technology prior to World War One. By discussing trials and errors we will shed light on the implications of this struggle with respect to current Air Force air and space development. This paper could not attempt to deal with every pre-war barrier to the development of military aviation in the United States, nor could it attempt to cover in totality those barriers mentioned. Instead, this study will provide a basic knowledge of the problems and discuss their implications. In presenting the problems encountered by proponents of U.S. heavier-than-air technology we will begin by showing how American military aviation developed prior to the twentieth century, demonstrating how the United States led the world in powered flight. We will then describe the barriers to powered flight, showing what, if anything, happened to overcome these barriers. Finally, we will conclude by moving from U.S. entry into World War One to the present, giving a brief synopsis on lessons learned and how the U.S. can avoid and overcome obstacles as it seeks to dominate air and space technology in the future.