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“History of the First 50 Years of Flight: We Saw It Happen” 3162 (1953)

1953 · Feature film · 58 min

  • War
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Synopsis

Produced by United Aircraft Corporation in 1953 as a promotional film, this documentary "We Saw It Happen" chronicles the evolution of flight for the first 50 years. It starts with the Wright Brothers and moves through both World Wars, then into modern airplanes of the 50s, such as commercial and jet airplanes. Showcases interviews from engineers, pilots and military leaders who all contributed to the development of aviation and are responsible for what it is today. The film begins with scenes of the beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where the Wright brothers first tested gliders. Clips of the first flights by the Wright brothers (2:15). Charlie Taylor explains the motor that he invented for the first airplane. Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm speaks about to a contract between the Wright brothers and the military. Benjamin Foulois speaks about flying with Orville Wright on a speed test (6:14). Image of a crashed plane where Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge was killed and Orville Wright was injured (6:10). Image of the first prototype of a helicopter (8:03). Glenn Martin reads a postcard from his doctor to his mother (8:28). Donald Douglas is interviewed with his dog. Roy Knabenshue is interviewed with a picture of a balloon. A plane with a towering stack of wings attempts to take off and crumbles (10:04). More failed but inventive flying machines are demonstrated. A plane flies through the sky above the Capitol building, then pulls up to the steps to a waiting crowd (11:22). A…

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Details

Running time
58 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

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