Aviation Lilienthal, Otto The flight of birds as the basis of the art of flying. A contribution to the systematics of flight technology. Based on numerous experiments carried out by O. and G. Lilienthal. With 80 woodcuts, 8 lithographed (folding) plates and 1 cover illustration in colour ("Kreisende Storchenfamilie"). Berlin, Gaertner (Engel, Lithos), 1889. (1 sheet), VIII, 187 (1) p., 1 sheet, VII folding plates. Olwd. with ornamental gilt title to cover and spine and patterned endpapers. First edition. - Brockett 7557 - Darmstaedter, p. 887 - Borst 3808 (with illustration on title page). - Clean copy of the first edition of this groundbreaking work of modern aviation technology. Lilienthal had been researching and experimenting together with his brother Gustav since 1871. It was the findings from these experiments, as set out for the first time in this book, that made the construction of aeroplanes possible in the first place. Lilienthal was to build his first glider in 1891, but had a fatal accident during a flight test in 1896. Lilienthal's book subsequently served as the basis for the designs of the Wright brothers, among others. - Binding with small colour stains and slightly rubbed. Title page, a few other pages and the cut occasionally slightly foxed, the first of the plates neatly lithographed by the Kgl. Hofsteindruckrei in Berlin with minor marginal tears. Aviation. - Well preserved copy of the first edition of this groundbreaking work of modern aviation. Lilienthal had been researching and experimenting with his brother Gustav since 1871. It was the findings from these experiments, as set out for the first time in this book, that made the construction of aeroplanes possible. Lilienthal was to build his first glider in 1891, before having a fatal accident during a flight attempt in 1896. His seminal book however subsequently also influenced the designs of the Wright brothers. - Cover with small stains as well as slightly rubbed. Title page, a few other pages and edges occasionally slightly foxed, plate no. 1 with marginal tears.