Aviation before World War I was a laboratory, open primarily for the self-motivated engineer, rich hobbiest or gifted amateur enthusiast. Largely absent were the military, industrial or commercial interests to overcome technological problems with the brute force of large bankrolls. As a result, the years between first powered flight and the start of World War I produced a meandering course of development and experimentation, badly coordinated, often ill-conceived and always under-financed when compared with the fast approaching four years of war. Despite the obstacles, barriers fell and new goals suddenly appeared within the grasp of aviators. Agile aircraft appeared that could loop, roll and climb to higher altitudes.
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