In the required eighth grade physical science class, our teacher, Mr. Faris, introduced us to the laws of the speed of sound. We learned about a man named Chuck Yeager, who at the time in history, was undeniably the fastest man on Earth, traveling at supersonic speeds and conquering the sound barrier. He educated us in such an engaging manner that we were extremely intrigued as to just how Chuck Yeager had managed to fly at such high velocities. Both of us have family-military relations, so this topic was near and dear to us as Chuck was an Air Force Pilot. Diving into the research, we learned so much more about Yeager himself, and just how monumental this high-speed flight was.
To begin our search for information about this rather intriguing topic, we started with locating a handful of websites as preliminary sources, to get an idea of Chuck’s whole story. After creating a list of the most interesting parts of the flight and Chuck’s life to further pursue, we went to the university library, and consulted a local media specialist about information the library possessed. Much to our disappointment however, the books we needed for our research were stolen. So, with a resolved determination, we continued our inquest elsewhere. Several documentaries proved beneficial, coupled with many websites and photographs. All of the collected sources were cited, and the inquiries were stored in a group document, allowing us to collectively share our thoughts and ideas about the topic.
After our inquest was finished, we had to make a tough choice between a documentary and a website. The documentary option had a certain artistic appeal, but with the presentation dates fast approaching, we decided that a website would be a better means of communicating our researched information. While the website making software was easy enough to navigate, we had other struggles, such as deciding how we best liked the information layouts. In the end, inserting small video clips and pictures allowed us to have the same artistic flow as the documentary style, while still properly conveying all of our best and necessary research.
Chuck Yeager, being a pioneer in supersonic speeds, not only broke the physical barrier of sound, but paved the way for all future flights and supersonic experimentation. Without his courageous efforts, the Bell X-1 never would have left the ground, meaning it might have been several years until another brave soul was willing to attempt the potentially perilous mission. In that case, military aviation could have been set back many years, likely allowing for extreme gaps in the world’s aeronautics and space travel.
Annotated Bibliography
AP Archives, director. USA: CHUCK YEAGER MARKS 50 YEARS SINCE FIRST SUPERSONIC FLIGHT. YouTube, YouTube, 21 July 2015, www.youtube.com/watch?v=8rU6vA5xrLg
Chuck Yeager breaking the barrier for the second time fifty years after the maiden flight. Same place as the first flight, over the Mohave Desert.
Associated Press. “Today in History, October 14, 1947: Test Pilot Chuck Yeager Broke the Sound Barrier.” Cincinnati.com, Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Oct. 2019, www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/10/14/today-history-october-14-1947-test-pilot-chuck-yeager-broke-sound-barrier/3974611002/
Picture of Chuck Yeager with the Bell X-1 jet, the Glamorous Glennis.
Bakker, Jaap. “Chuck Yeager in 1947 with a Rolex Oyster.” Chuck Yeager: No Flight without a Rolex, 26 July 2013, www.rolexencyclopedie.nl/english/persons/chuck-yeager-no-flight-without-a-rolex/
Used in second biography slideshow, Chuck and a woman in a plane.
“Chuck Yeager Press Conference, 1953.” Air & Space Magazine, Air & Space Magazine, www.airspacemag.com/videos/category/history-of-flight/chuck-yeager-press-conference-1953_1/
Press conference to discuss the flight. Details why it was monumental, even from his point of view.
“Chuck Yeager.” Jetpilotoverseas.wordpress.com, 29 June 2011, jetpilotoverseas.wordpress.com/category/chuck-yeager/
Many pictures of Chuck from all along his piloting career; details his status as a world-class aviator.
Flynn, Mike. “Bell X-1 on the Floor at the Smithsonian Milestones of Flight Exhibit.” Chuck Yeager Content Uploads, 2019, www.chuckyeager.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/X-1-cockpit-1-x800.jpg
A picture of the inside of the Glamorous Glennis, can give you an idea of what he was looking at when the barrier was broken.
“Glennis Faye Dickhouse Yeager.” Glennis Faye Dickhouse Yeager, 2020, www.findagrave.com/memorial/15005662/glennis-faye-yeager
Used in a slideshow to depict Yeagers later life, wedding pictures.
Kumar, Pradeep. “Thunder Blasting in Air Likely a Sonic Boom?” Thunder Blasting in Air Likely a Sonic Boom?, 24 Oct. 2018, arunachalobserver.org/2018/10/24/thunder-blasting-air-likely-sonic-boom/
Picture of plane and sonic boom, used in supersonics tab.
“Major Chuck Yeager in Front of the XB-51.” Happy Birthday Chuck Yeager!, 2019, www.chuckyeager.org/news/happy-birthday-general-chuck-yeager-feb-13-2017-2/
Used in Yeager's Biography, his piloting career and status.
NASA. “Shockwave Pattern around a T-38C Observed with Background.” File:Shockwave Pattern around a T-38C Observed with Background-Oriented Schlieren Photography (1).Jpg, Feb. 2015, commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shockwave_pattern_around_a_T-38C_observed_with_Background-Oriented_Schlieren_photography_(1).jpg
Schlieren photography depicting sound waves before breaking sound barrier. Used on supersonics page to show shockwave pressure.
“Notes from the Ninth Powered Flight of the XS-1, 10/14/1947.” National Archives and Records Administration, National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/historical-docs/todays-doc/index.html?dod-date=1014
Pilots notes; original document.
“On Oct. 14, 1947, 24-Year-Old Capt. Chuck Yeager Piloted the Experimental Rocket-Propelled Bell Aircraft XS-1, through the Sound Barrier - One of the First Steps toward the Force's Future in Air Superiority.” Today in History, October 14, 1947: Test Pilot Chuck Yeager Broke the Sound Barrier, Associated Press, 14 Oct. 2019, www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2019/10/14/today-history-october-14-1947-test-pilot-chuck-yeager-broke-sound-barrier/3974611002/
Picture of Chuck and Bell X-1, the Glamorous Glennis.
Smith, Kiona M. “Chuck Yeager Broke The Sound Barrier 70 Years Ago Today.” Forbes, www.forbes.com/sites/kionasmith/2017/10/14/chuck-yeager-broke-the-sound-barrier-70-years-ago-today/#31be64ed7235
A picture of Chuck Yeager inside the orange Glamorous Glennis, after the plane was signed 'Good Luck!' ~Chuck Yeager. Used on the flight page.
Sources, Battlefield, director. Chuck Yeager Reenacts His Supersonic Record Breaking Flight - Cockpit Footage. YouTube, YouTube, 15 Oct. 2012, www.youtube.com/watch?v=O8La33aN0Nk
White, Shannon. “Yeager As A Child.” Chuck Yeager: Humble Beginnings, 2020, www.chuckyeager.com/1923-1941-growing-up
Yeager and his siblings outside of a small building, sitting all around each other.
White, Shannon. “Yeager Family.” Chuck Yeager: Humble Beginnings, www.chuckyeager.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/YeagerFamily2.gif
A picture of Yeager's large family, used in his biography to document childhood life.
Yeager, Chuck. “Pilot's Notes from the Ninth Powered Flight of the XS-1.” 14 Oct. 1947.
Original Pilots note, correctly cited.
“Chuck Yeager.” Biography.com, A&E Networks Television, 10 Aug. 2019, www.biography.com/political-figure/chuck-yeager
Chuck's life story, doesn't talk much about the flight, just gives background and insight into his life, and what happened after the barrier.
“Chuck Yeager.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 Feb. 2020, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Yeager
CNN Wire Staff. “Chuck Yeager Retraces History in the Sky, Breaking the Sound Barrier -- Again.” CNN, Cable News Network, 15 Oct. 2012, www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/us/nevada-yeager-anniversary-flight/index.html
A little bit of history about how the news of the barrier breakage was spread, the declassification and how the public latched on.
Dunbar, Brian. “What Is Supersonic Flight?” NASA, NASA, 27 May 2015, www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/5-8/features/nasa-knows/what-is-supersonic-flight-58.html
Facts about what supersonic flight really is. Why the research is important in general.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Chuck Yeager.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 30 Aug. 2019, www.britannica.com/biography/Chuck-Yeager
A biography about Yeager's life after he decided to become a pilot.
Images, Skytamer. “1947 Chronology of Aviation History.” 1947 Chronology of Aviation History, 1998, www.skytamer.com/1947.html
Things happening in aviation around the same time as the sound barrier research.
Larsen, Klaus. “Klaus Larsen.” Chuck Yeager, 11 Dec. 2019, www.chuckyeager.org/history/background/
Entire life biography, reference pictures and links to other websites. Childhood to present day accomplishments.
Mighty, Team. “Here Are 17 Amazing Facts about the Legendary Chuck Yeager.” We Are The Mighty - Americas Tactical Military Entertainment Brand, We Are The Mighty - Americas Tactical Military Entertainment Brand, 2 Apr. 2018, www.wearethemighty.com/articles/here-are-17-amazing-facts-about-the-legendary-chuck-yeager
17 facts about Chuck and his life.
“Sound Barrier.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Nov. 2019, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sound_barrier#Sound_barrier_officially_broken_in_aircraft
Information on George Welch, a man who claims to have broken the sound barrier before Chuck Yeager, with evidence to support it, but not fully recognized because of improper flight monitoring.
Stendahl, Max. “MassMutual in Bizarre Legal Dispute with Chuck Yeager, Man Who Broke Sound Barrier.” Bizjournals.com, 17 Sept. 2018, 11:25am, www.bizjournals.com/boston/news/2018/09/17/massmutual-in-bizarre-legal-dispute-with-chuck.html
Chuck's legal issues with his children after flight fame and fortune comes between them.
White, Shannon. “Humble Beginnings.” General Chuck Yeager, 2020, www.chuckyeager.com/1923-1941-growing-up
Yeager’s whole childhood biography, and how his passion for flying was inspired throughout his experiences.
“Yeager, Charles ‘Chuck.’” National Aviation Hall of Fame, www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/yeager-charles-chuck/.
Biography of Chuck, his whole life story. Some reference pictures, not used.