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Wings of Madness
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Program Overview
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NOVA profiles Alberto Santos-Dumont, a legendary inventor who, at
the turn of the 20th century, inspired a generation of
aeronauts to push the limits of their courage and imagination.
The program:
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presents Santos's dream of making flight an everyday reality
that could be experienced by anyone.
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shows how the famous aviator streamlined and simplified
dirigible design.
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notes Santos's trial-and-error experimental method, in which he
would fly his vehicle, improve it, and then fly it again.
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reviews the vehicles Santos built and tested, including his
dirigibles, as well as airplanes like the #14bis, and the
Demoiselle.
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features some of the innovations he pioneered, including a
backup interior dirigible balloon to counteract changes in
hydrogen gas, an efficient gas-fueled engine to power aircraft,
and the use of piano wire to connect the many components of his
airships.
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chronicles the aviator's efforts to win the Deutsch Prize
offered to the first airship that could cover three-and-a-half
miles in a half hour.
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presents Santos's endeavors to build a heavier-than-air craft
and showcases his box-kite design for #14bis.
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reports on the problem being faced by most flight pioneers of
the time—maintaining control of the aircraft while in
flight.
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features the building and testing of a #14bis replica.
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recalls Santos's crash landing in his Demoiselle aircraft
and the injuries he sustained from the collision.
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notes how the innovative experimenter began to suffer depression
when he saw planes being used for military purposes leading him
to eventually take his own life.
Taping Rights: Can be used up to one year after the program
is taped off the air.
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