Thursday, April 14, 2016

Book cover: "From the Ground Up" by Standard Oil Company (1930)


And the back cover...

  • Title: From the Ground Up
  • Subtitle: Why an airplane flies — and how it is flown — simply explained
  • Author: None listed
  • Cover illustrator: Clayton Knight (1891-1969), a pilot himself and prolific illustrator of aviation books
  • Publisher: Standard Oil Company (Indiana)
  • Year: 1930
  • Pages: 48
  • Format: Staplebound paperback
  • Notes: The title page of my copy has a stamp from "Carlos L. Reavis, Flying Service Inc., Municipal Airport - Denver." ... The book's sections cover physical requirements and tests to be a pilot1, the various pilot licenses that are available, the parts and functions of standard bi-planes (focused on the Stanolind Jr. No. 2, a key airplane within the Standard Oil fleet), a visual guide to flying maneuvers and a guide to airplane tail markings. ... Though short, the book offers a fairly comprehensive introduction to airplanes and learning to fly, stating that flying is like learning to ride a bicycle. And it makes flying seem very safe. For example, this excerpt:
    "Before we go on, let me clear up one point. Perhaps you have wondered what would happen if the motor should stop in the air. Nothing will happen — absolutely nothing — you simply glide safely to the ground."
    ... Finally, there's a neat section titled "Silhouettes of Ship Models," featuring 16 different types of airplanes, including the sesquiplane, the flying boat and the ornithopter. Shown here are some of those silhouettes...


Footnote
1. From Page 3: "If you want to fly, arrange for a physical examination. The doctor must be a special medical examiner, approved by the Department of Commerce. The fee is a standard one of $10.00."

No comments:

Post a Comment