by Les Harding
Notes to Chapter 6
Hamilton Herald, July 29, 1911, p. 16.
Ibid., August 3, 1911 p. 17.
Notes to Chapter 7
Green, Silver Dart,125-26.
Notes to Chapter 9
Green, Silver Dart, 159.
Glossary
aerodynamics: The branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of air and other gases.
aeronautics: The science or practice of motion or travel in the air.
aileron: A moveable surface near the end of a wing that effects the ability of an airplane to turn.
amputate: To cut off by surgical operation.
barnstorming: Tricky and dangerous maneouvers done at an airshow.
bewhiskered: Having whiskers or a beard.
biplane: A type of airplane with two main sets of wings, with one above the other.
commemoration: A service or part of a service in memory of a person or event.
confederation: A union or alliance of states, etc.
cygnet: A young swan.
dumbfounded: Confused or puzzled.
elaborate: Planned with great care.
eminent: Standing out among others; of high rank.
epic proportions: Large size.
feline: A cat.
fulcrum: A part that serves as a support or hinge.
galvanize: To coat with zinc as a protection against rust.
gizmo: A gadget or device.
grudgingly: Unwillingly or reluctantly.
hamlet: A village.
impish: Fun-loving yet mischievous.
inscribe: To write or carve words on stone, metal, paper, etc.
ludicrous: Absurd or ridiculous; laughable.
manoeuver: A planned and controlled movement or series of movements.
metal fatigue: Structural damage.
meteorology: The study of the processes and phenomena of the atmosphere, especially as a means of forecasting weather.
neutrality: Refusal to take part in a war.
newfangled: Of a new style or kind.
pandemonium: Uproar, utter confusion.
patriotism: Love for one’s country.
pneumatic: Moved or worked by air pressure.
pontoons: Portable floating devices.
prestigious: Honoured.
proposition: Something offered for acceptance.
scoff: To show disrespect or lack of concern.
stable: Firmly fixed or established, not easily adjusted, destroyed or altered.
tetrahedron: A three-dimensional structure composed of four triangular faces.
throttle: A valve for regulating the supply of fluid to an engine.
tinsmith: A person who makes or repairs things made of sheet metal.
trainer: A machine used in training.
undercarriage: The landing gear of an airplane.
unfathomable: Impossible to understand.
Bibliography
“Baldwin, Frederick Walker”; “Bell, Alexander Graham”; “McCurdy, John Alexander Douglas”; “Silver Dart.” In The Canadian Encyclopedia. 2nd ed. Edmonton: Hurtig, 1988.
Chamberlin, Norman. “They Flew in 1909.” Canadian Aviation (January 1945): 44-47.
Colombo, John Robert. “Aerial Experiment Association”; “Bell, Alexander Graham”; “Cygnet I”; “Hydrodrome-4”; “June Bug”; “Red Wing”; “Silver Dart”; “White Wing.” In Colombo’s Canadian References. Toronto: Oxford University Press, 1976.
Ellis, Frank H. Canada’s Flying Heritage. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1962.
Glenn H. Curtiss Museum. The Flight of the June Bug. Hammondsport, NY: Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, 1976.
Green H. Gordon. “The Flight at Baddeck.” Atlantic Advocate (October 1958): 20-29.
Hamilton Herald. July 22, July 28, July 29, August 3, 1911.
Harding, Les. “McCurdy’s Cuban Adventure.” Atlantic Advocate (February 1982): 26-28.
McCurdy, J. A. D. “Canada’s First Powered Flight.” Canadian Aviation (January 1959): 24-27.
———. “The Early Days of Aviation.” Dalhousie Review (July 1948): 109-16.
———. “First Commonwealth Flight.” Canadian Aviation (June 1953): 82, 122-23, 142-49.
Sutherland, Alice Gordon. Canada’s Aviation Pioneers. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1978.
Webb, Michael. Alexander Graham Bell, Inventor of the Telephone. Mississauga: Copp Clark Pitman, 1991.
Les Harding is a freelance writer living in St. John’s, Newfoundland. He is the author of thirteen books for young people about pioneers, including: The Voyage of Lesser Men: Thumbnail Sketches in Canadian Exploration; The Journeys of Remarkable Women: Their Travels on the Canadian Frontier; Damn the Mosquitoes!; and Elephant Story.