The effort to win the war began at home--and for the researchers at Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory, enhancing America's military aviation arsenal was the key to victory. Formed in 1915, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics established itself over the next 25 years as one of the world's finest research organizations. When World War II began in 1939, the NACA employed a mere 500 workers and maintained a budget slightly in excess of $4 million. To meet the demands of the war, a special partnership was quickly forged between NACA researchers, industry designers, and military planners. The Langley laboratory possessed world class aeronautical research facilities and flight research operations, making it ideally suited to help America win the war. Military historian Mark Chambers tells the story of the monumental task of developing the planes that spurred Allied victory in World War II.

Since 1950, US Navy fleet defender (fighter) squadrons--home-based at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana in Virginia Beach, Virginia--have served as a vital part of the country's national defense and helped to exert global US naval firepower. Over the years, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons have participated in combat during the Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars and in military incidents and conflicts in Libya as well as Kosovo and Afghanistan. During the Cold War, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons served as crucial deterrents to the Soviet Union's acts of aggression and provocation. More recently, NAS Oceana-based fleet defender squadrons have been highly engaged in the ongoing War on Terrorism, striking Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) targets in Iraq and Syria and Taliban targets in Afghanistan. Today, these squadrons stand ready to defend the United States, its naval fleets, and its interests abroad.

Throughout the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century, Naval Air Station Norfolk, Virginia, has played a significant role in the development of American naval aviation. The roles of fleet operational feasibility flight testing, flight testing of prototype aircraft, and tactical combat flight training at this naval air station have been crucial to this development. Technological advancements in naval airpower have significantly altered military doctrine and tactics, enabling the United States to gain strategic advantages over opposing forces in wars and military conflicts. Moreover, courage, innovative spirit, and ingenuity in conducting naval flight testing at Naval Air Station Norfolk have made and continue to make the advancement of American naval aviation possible. This remarkable military facility serves as a vital component of the world's largest naval base, Naval Station Norfolk.

Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) has served for over 100 years as a cornerstone of American military aviation. The base has served as a flight test center for US Navy seaplanes and observation/spotter aircraft, as well as the ill-fated Roma airship. Additionally, JBLE was one of the first US Air Force (USAF) bases to operate the advanced Lockheed F-22 Raptor. In 1921, Langley Field served as the launching point for Gen. William "Billy" Mitchell's US Army Air Service efforts in historic battleship bombing flight experiments. Prior to World War II, Langley Field became the first US Army Air Corps base to operate the Boeing YB-17, prototype of the famous B-17 Flying Fortress. During the latter half of the 20th century, Langley Air Force Base served as the headquarters for the Tactical Air Command (TAC) and the Air Combat Command (ACC). JBLE still serves as ACC headquarters.

From Bumper V-2 rocket launches in 1950 to the launch of the Orion spacecraft atop a Delta IV rocket in 2014, NASA’s Kennedy Space Center has served as the nation’s portal to outer space for over 60 years. Images of Modern America: NASA Kennedy Space Center provides a fascinating look at the evolution of spacecraft technology and vintage images of Florida’s scenic Merritt Island, known as the “Space Coast.” This photographic history of the nation’s premier spaceport looks back at the United States’ glorious past in space exploration and ahead to its future.

Naval Air Station Patuxent River (NAS Pax River) played a crucial role in forging Americas naval air arm. This unique center proved to be vital for flight testing and evaluating naval aircraft and weapons systems destined for operational fleet service. NAS Pax River taught fleet pilots new tactics by conducting aircraft weapons tests, a tradition supplemented today by ground-based simulation. During and after World War II, it served as a primary center for flight testing and evaluating foreign aircraft. Some of the worlds best test pilots and eventual astronauts came to NAS Pax River to hone their flight skills and to participate in the testing of naval aviations premier aircraft. It is also home to the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) and the US Naval Test Pilot School, and it is the headquarters of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR).

Todd has hiccups. He tries everything to get rid of them but nothing seems to work. Then Barney the dog saves the day!

Following the creation of the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics in 1915, a unique flight research operations division was established at the nation's first civilian aeronautics research laboratory, the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory. Langley flight research personnel helped the nation's aircraft industry bloom during the Golden Era of aviation throughout the 1920s and 1930s. Langley's flight research then helped win World War II with performance-enhancing modifications to new aircraft. During the cold war, Langley helped the country maintain an edge in aeronautics over its Warsaw Pact rivals. When the space race began, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) was created in 1958 and Langley's pilots were instrumental in training astronauts. In addition to advancing rotorcraft during the 1960s and 1970s, Langley research pioneered a multitude of military and civil Vertical Short Takeoff and Landing (V/STOL) concepts. During the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s, Langley research developed advancements in general and commercial aviation technologies.

This publication's first objective is to convey detailed information regarding the designers and design process for the emblems of NASA and its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). The second objective is to briefly illustrate the applications of these respected and admired insignias and seals within the cultures of each agency. For this task, photographs and descriptions are used to exemplify applications to buildings, equipment, aircraft and spacecraft, correspondence and documents, and personal memorabilia such as pins, awards, and retirement plaques. The material presented herein is organized chronologically and covers the subject from the first days of the NACA in 1915 to the current-day situation in NASA.

Originally published: London: Wayland, a division of Hachette Children's Books, a Hatchette UK Company, c2008.