Origin of "aeroplane"

"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...

The Wright "Flyer"?

Yes, but was this a title, such as Titanic, or simply a name, such as
ocean
liner....

No, I don't think so. The Flyer name was around at least till 1911,
much to the confusion of folks who want to see the original Flyer in
action this December.

I think that to the Wrights, Flyer was the generic name.

Langley called his aircraft the Aerodrome.


I think you'll find that the reference to his machine as an aerodrome came
not from Langley but from articles in the scientifc American of August 22,
1903
and October 17 1903

Langley in his press release simply referred to flying machines

Quote
To the Press:
The present experiments being made in mechanical flight have been carried on
partly with funds provided by the Board of Ordnance and Fortifications, and
partly from private sources, and from a special endowment of the Smithsonian
Institution. The experiments are carried on with the approval of the board
of regents of the Smithsonian Institution. The public's interest in them may
lead to an unfounded expectation as to their immediate results without an
explanation, which is here briefly given.
These trials, with some already conducted with steam driven flying machines,
are believed to be the first in the history of invention where bodies far
heavier than the air itself have been sustained in the air for more than a
few seconds by purely mechanical means. In my previous trials success has
only been reached after initial failures, which alone have taught the way to
it, and I know no reason why prospective trials should be an exception. It
is possible, rather than probable, that it may be otherwise now, but judging
from the light of past experience it is to be regretted that the enforced
publicity which has been given to these initial experiments which are
essentially experiments, and nothing else a may lead to quite unfounded
expectations.

It is the practice of all scientific men, indeed, of all prudent men, not to
make public the results of their work till these are certain. This
consideration, and no desire to withhold from the public matters in which
the public is interested, has dictated the policy thus far pursued here. The
fullest publicity consistent with the national interest (since these recent
experience have for their object the development of a machine for war
purposes) will be given to this work when it reaches a stage which warrants
publication.
S. P. Langley
Smithsonian Institution, August 19. "

/Quote

The first use of the term aeroplane by one of the pioneers of
aviation seems to have been by Sir Hiram Maxim in his work
entitled 'Aerial Navigation: The Power Required' published in 1891

Quote
I think all scientists are agreed that if we are ever able to navigate the
air it must be on the aeroplane system; that is, the weight of the machine
and passenger or passengers must be carried by a large plane driven at a
high velocity through the air. There is, however, some difference in opinion
in regard to the proper manner of propelling these planes...I am in favor of
a scew- propeller, because with it I find a high-degree of efficiency, and
the possibility of applying a large amount of force in a continuous manner
without any vibration or unsteadiness in action...'
/Quote

Keith