Aviation Chicago Timeline traces the pivotal role that Chicago played in the development of aviation in the United States. Long before the Wright Brothers took to the air, Chicago had an active balloon community and Octave Chanute was providing the latest aviation research to scores of experimenters. In the 1910s, the city was bustling with flight schools, airplane manufacturers, air shows, and aviation developers. By the 1920s, Chicago was the core of the U.S. air mail system and easily transitioned into a major air passenger hub. Throughout its history, Chicago has produced leaders who shaped U.S. aviation policy including Benjamin Lipsner (the first Superintendent of Aerial Mail of the Post Office Dept.), Daniel McCracken (major designer of the Air Commerce Act of 1926 and the the first Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Aviation), and Samuel Skinner (Secretary of Transportation under Pres. George H.W. Bush).

Aviation Chicago Timeline offers a fascinating account of over 1,000 events documenting the development of aviation. The author, Michael Haupt, provides a series of well-written stories that portray Chicago's gripping aviation history in an inviting and interesting fashion. Haupt's meticulous research, attention to detail, and exhaustive notes make this book an essential tool for everyone interested in the history of aviation in this country.