The World of Yesterday and Tomorrow

Walt Disney: “You can’t have everything profound…It’s the equivalent of not getting so stuffy that you can’t laugh” (401).

The Book

The Magic Kingdom: Walt Disney and the American Way of Life is not just a biography of one man. Author Steven Watts explores the growth and inner workings of the Disney Studios, the societal and cultural changes throughout the 20^th century, and the way Disney Studios responded to the changes. The Magic Kingdom is an honest look at the man who created an empire. The book is well written and easy to follow; this makes the legend of Walt Disney accessible to his fans and critiques alike.

Walt Disney’s story is woven together with the changing landscape of America. The Disney Studios hit their stride during the Great Depression. Mickey Mouse and his gang helped Americans forget their troubles as they watched the “little guy” triumph. During World War II, Donald Duck was used to encourage patriotism and the Disney Studios created training videos for the soldiers. The Cold War saw an emphasis on American history and success stories. All throughout these changes, Walt Disney guided the studio.

It is made clear that Disney was not always the easiest person to work for or impress. But, the reader does not doubt his desire to entertain the public with films that the whole family could enjoy. Walt Disney World was to be the culmination of Disney’s life and ideas. Unfortunately, he died unexpectedly before work could begin.

The Place

Walt Disney World truly is a magical place. Walt Disney wanted to create a destination where visitors were immersed in the Disney experience at every moment: theme park, restaurants, hotels, and shops.

I have had the opportunity to visit Walt Disney World twice and both times were fantastic experiences. The first time my high school choir performed at Epcot. That was an incredible experience, especially because we were allowed “backstage.” When visiting Walt Disney World, you definitely need at least one day per park (Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Animal Kingdom). It is also a good idea to plan ahead of time what rides you want to go on and what shows you want to watch. Magic Kingdom is my favorite park because you are able to step into moments from history, fantasy, or the future. One moment you may be riding on the Jungle Cruise and see elephants, the next moment you are walking through Cinderella’s castle, and finally you are blasting into space on Space Mountain.

Lighter Than Air

“The very notion of wing-warping [a process the Wright Brothers invented] was to increase the lift on one side of the glider while decreasing lift on the other side, thus inducing a banking roll toward the side with less lift” (131).

The Book

To Conquer the Air: The Wright Brothers and the Great Race for Flight is mainly a book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. However, author James Tobin does more than just introduce the reader to the Wright Brothers. He provides the details of how flight was achieved and the other men who were attempting their own versions of aerorplanes (the original word for airplanes) or gliders. Throughout the book, Tobin weaves together the stories of the Wright Brothers and their contemporaries. The reader sees the frustration and joy that comes with any invention; years were spent perfecting a small part or a theory.  

Many of the Wright Brothers own words are included in the text. In one passage, Wilbur explains the feeling of flying, “There is a sense of exhilaration in flying through the free air, an intensity of enjoyment, which possibly may be due to the satisfaction of an inborn longing transmitted to us from the days when our early ancestors gazed wonderingly at the free flight of birds and contrasted it with their own slow and toilsome progress through the unbroken wilderness” (238). The reader gens a sense of what it must have been like to soar in an open air glider.

There are parts of the book that are difficult to get through. Tobin includes many explanations of theories and the technical process of building gliders. Several chapters focus on other men who were attempting to invent a flying machine. It is interesting to read about the different ideas each man had. Ultimately, the Wright Brothers would create the device that would be the predecessor to modern airplanes.

The Place

Wilbur and Orville Wright were from Dayton, Ohio and owned a bicycle shop where they built gliders during the winter. Today, Dayton’s motto is the “Birthplace of Aviation.” Carillon Park provides visitors a history of Dayton that includes the original 1905 Wright Flyer III. Visitors are able to walk into buildings that were a part of Dayton’s history, learn about Dayton’s involvement with innovation and World War II, and see the changes in public transportation. Many of the exhibits are hands on, which is great for small children.

Dayton has many other aviation sites to explore. A part of this list is the National Air Force Museum. I grew up going to this museum and it has always been one of my favorites. The admission is free and the museum provides an up close view of airplanes from the Wright Brothers to the present day. The museum is in a giant hanger and some airplanes are open for visitors to climb in and imagine being a pilot.