This book was first published over 110 years ago and read by nearly every early aviation pioneer who had a serious interest in building and flying an airplane. Now, this Markowski edition brings Lilienthal's work to a new generation. This book is an unabriged copy of the original work.

Lilienthal, with assistance from his brother Gustave, studied the details of how birds fly. He then developed a theory of flight and designed and built a series of gliders. From 1891 to 1896 he made over 2,000 glides - bridging the gap between those who dreamed of flying and those who flew.

Learning of Lilienthal's fatal gliding accident in 1896, the Wright Brothers became inspired to investigate "the problem of human flight." Lilienthal had a tremendous influence on the Wrights, who considered him their hero. They carefully studied his work, developed their own theories and designs, and invented the airplane.

Through Lilienthal's own notes and experiment results, Birdflight as the Basis of Aviation tells the remarkable story of what Lilienthal accomplished in the late nineteenth century. All the original photos and Lilienthal's own diagrams are included.