Aeronautics was neither an industry nor a science. It was a miracle.

At that time [1909] the chief engineer was almost always the chief test pilot as well. That had the fortunate result of eliminating poor engineering early in aviation.

Money lost-nothing lost, Health lost-little lost, Spirit lost-everything lost.

It is like a dream to feel the machine lift you gently up in the air, float smoothly over one spot.

According to recognized aero technical tests, the bumblebee cannot fly because of the shape and weight of his body in relation to the total wing area. The bumblebee doesn't know this, so he goes ahead and flies anyway.

Aeronautics was neither an industry nor a science. It was a miracle.

Supersonic airplanes have carried men at more than 2,000 miles per hour and there are reasons to believe that this speed will be doubled by 1960 or so.