Gale Chronicles the Evolution of Flight with New Digital Archive of Aviation History
New Resource in Smithsonian Collections Online Series Opens Access to Rare Material; Can be Integrated into Classroom Learning Through MindTap
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich., June 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Providing students, faculty and researchers a unique glimpse into the often hidden aspects of humankind's conquest of the skies, Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, today launched Evolution of Flight, 1784-1991, a new digital archive in its Smithsonian Collections Online series. The archive brings together images, diaries, correspondence, scrapbooks, government documents and other primary source materials – many of which have only been available by special request – to provide the "story behind the story" of humankind's desire to fly.
"Our partnership with the Smithsonian, the largest research complex in the world, has allowed us to open up new avenues of research for scholars. Taken together, these items offer an unparalleled view of the technological and societal impact of human flight," said Paul Gazzolo, senior vice president and general manager, Gale. "And through integration with Cengage Learning's MindTap platform, professors can bring this great material directly into classroom learning and discussion."
Evolution of Flight, 1784-1991 brings together over one million pages of material in several languages from the National Air and Space Museum Archives, Smithsonian Institution Archives and the National Air and Space Museum Library, Smithsonian Libraries. It sketches the lives and contributions of aviation's pioneers, scientists, promoters, businessmen, barnstormers, racers, designers and manufacturers and aces (from World War I to Iraq). It is a treasure trove of images, personal papers and commemorative memorabilia. Topics covered include the first theories and experiments of early flight, inventions, air races, the fighter pilot, African Americans and aviation, women and aviation, the evolution of aerial weaponry, navigational technology, landmark altitude and long-distance flights, Germany's WWII jet program, the Cold War aviation race and America's current air fleet.
The archive is available on the Gale Artemis: Primary Sources platform giving researchers the ability to cross-search with other digital archives and access to graphing and search visualization tools that will help them explore the content in new ways. Instructors using MindTap, Cengage Learning's e-learning platform, can integrate materials from Evolution of Flight directly into readings, quizzes, research projects, classroom discussions or other activities, driving collaboration between the library and classroom.
For more information on Smithsonian Collections Online: Evolution of Flight, 1784-1991, please contact Kristina Massari at [email protected] or visit the Gale booth (#703) at the American Library Association annual meeting June 26-29 in San Francisco.
About Cengage Learning and Gale
Cengage Learning is a leading educational content, technology, and services company for the higher education and K-12, professional and library markets worldwide. Gale, a part of Cengage Learning, is a global provider of research resources for libraries and businesses for more than 60 years. Gale is passionate about supporting the continued innovation and evolution of libraries by providing the content, tools, and services libraries need to promote information discovery, enable learning, and support economic, cultural, and intellectual growth in their communities. For more information, visit www.cengage.com or www.gale.cengage.com.
Media Contact:
Kristina Massari
Cengage Learning
(203) 965-8694
[email protected]
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SOURCE Cengage Learning
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