The Aerial Age

A book detailing Walter Wellman's attempts to reach the North Pole. Wellman was a contemporary of Peary who decided after one attempt that the North Pole could never be reached over the ice. He got backing for an attempt to fly there in a primitive dirigible, America. He made two attempts in 1907 and 1909, both unsuccessful. When he learned Cook and Peary were claiming to have reached the Pole he gave up his ambition and tried to cross the Atlantic in the America in 1910. All of these exploits are detailed in this book. Included is interesting technical information on power and equipment of airships and airship construction, and extensive illustrations (mostly photos). Walter Wellman (1858-1934) was born in Mentor, Ohio and founded the Cincinnati Post. He attempted dirigible flights over the North Pole in 1906, 1907, and 1909 and also an Atlantic crossing in 1919. Although all were failures he broke existing records at the time.