Foreign Policy Research Institute A Nation Must Think Before it Acts The Invention and Development of Rotorcraft

The Invention and Development of Rotorcraft

Date : Sat., September 26, 2009 10:15 am to 4:30 pm Category : Butcher History Institute

The story of rotary wing flight is one of innovation and heroism, in equal measure. At a time when airplanes were spanning the globe as luxury liners of the air, a small group of visionary engineers set out to develop aircraft for a variety of demanding missions requiring precision control far beyond anything ever envisioned. These pioneering innovators overcame technical challenges with breakthrough designs, careful (and fearless) testing, and sometimes, many times, being willing to try things when others knew that they would fail.

The Wachman Center, in partnership with the American Helicopter Museum and Education Center, is presenting this seminar for high school teachers that tells the story of the American rotorcraft industry through the innovations that made vertical flight a reality, and then a necessity, in carrying out vital military and civilian missions. The program will develop curricular materials for high school history, economics, and science classes that will be made available free of charge to teachers worldwide.

Topics and Speakers

Welcomes and Introductions

09/26/2009 - 10:30 AM to 10:40 AM
Robert M. Beggs

Chairman, AHMEC

Walter A. McDougall

Co-Chair - Madeleine and W.W. Keen Butcher History Institute

Inventions and Innovations: How Impractical and Curious Machines Came to be Indispensable in our Lives

09/26/2009 - 10:40 AM to 10:55 AM
Lawrence Husick

Co-Director - Program on Teaching Innovation

Related Multimedia:

Welcomes and Introductions; Inventions and Innovations: How Impractical and Curious Machines Came to be Indispensable in our Lives; Early Helicopter Innovation: Challenges, Pioneers, and Philadelphia (1)

Early Helicopter Innovation: Challenges, Pioneers, and Philadelphia

09/26/2009 - 10:55 AM to 12:15 PM
Bruce H. Charnov

Associate Professor Emeritus, Hofstra University

Igor Sikorsky, Jr.

Frederick Piasecki

Related Material(s):

File

Related Multimedia:

Early Helicopter Innovation: Challenges, Pioneers, and Philadelphia (2)

Early Helicopter Innovation: Challenges, Pioneers, and Philadelphia (3)

Keynote – Helicopters in the Military: The Story of HMX-1

09/26/2009 - 1:15 PM to 1:45 PM
Mark Peterson

Boeing Company

Related Multimedia:

Keynote – Helicopters in the Military: The Story of HMX-1

Keynote – Helicopters in the Military: The Story of HMX-1 (continued); Military Rotorcraft Innovation – 1940 – 2009

Military Rotorcraft Innovation – 1940 – 2009

09/26/2009 - 1:45 PM to 2:45 PM
Samuel S. Evans

Research Associate, Pennsylvania State University

Teaching Innovation: Helicopters as Multifaceted Case Studies in History, Economics, Science and Vocational Education

09/26/2009 - 3:00 PM to 4:15 PM
Bill Grauer

Boeing Company

Lawrence Husick

Co-Director - Program on Teaching Innovation

Samuel S. Evans

Research Associate, Pennsylvania State University

Paul Dickler

Senior Fellow - Wachman Center for Civic and International Literacy

Robert M. Beggs

Chairman, AHMEC

Related Multimedia:

Teaching Innovation: Helicopters as Multifaceted Case Studies in History, Economics, Science and Vocational Education

Location

Venue

American Helicopter Museum and Education Center

1220 American Blvd. PA West Chester 19380

Registration links

Register Deadline

All teachers who complete the program will receive an FPRI Certificate of Instruction, as well as related curriculum materials. Registration is free but reservations are required. Lunch, parking, and coffee breaks are provided at no cost. RSVP: lux@fpri.org

For essays, lesson plans, and resources on innovation, visit:

https://www.fpri.org/education/innovation/