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Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.

A survey of the development of British military aviation from 1903 to 1914, revealing the consequences of its annexation by the state as a branch of armaments as an underlying cause of aircraft inadequacies on the outbreak of war. A mine of information, drawing on an impressive range of archives. It will become an important point of reference. ENGLISH HISTORICAL REVIEW This book aims to demonstrate how the crisis evident in British military aviation in the early years of the First World War was inherent in the entire development of aviation in the years preceding the conflict. After outlining the work of the early pioneers and the growth of an aviation industry as a branch of armaments, Dr Driver considers the objectives of the War Office in increasingly seeking to divert design development to their research establishment at Farnborough. He shows how the resultant virtual state monopoly in designand procurement had disastrous consequences for aircraft innovation and development, suffocating both competition and initiative, and leading to the maintenance of inadequate aircraft by the Royal Flying Corps following the outbreak of war. The continuing dispute and its culmination in the "Fokker Scourge" controversy of 1915-1916 graphically characterise the strained development of military-industrial relations in this area. Dr HUGH DRIVER gained an MA in War Studies from King's College London, and a D.Phil in modern history at Oriel College, Oxford.

This is the biography of Sir Thomas Roddick, a highly respected surgeon, medical administrator, and politician who was born in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, in 1888. Roddick's hard work and dedication saw great improvements made in Canadian medicine, not the least of which was the creation and passing of a government bill that standardized education of medical students and the qualifications required to practice medicine in Canada, and which also required the registration of all medical graduates entering practice in Canada. Roddick's dedication to his field was recognized often, as many awards were conferred on him throughout his career, culminating in his knighthood in 1914.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.