This 1960s color part-animated film “Steps to the Jets” is presented by Air France. A re-enactment depicts the Montgolfier brothers watching how smoke moves. Animation depicts the history of hot air balloons, the first dirigible, and models of motor-driven planes (1:31-2:40). Still photographs are shown of a man attempting to fly using a glider (2:42-2:50). An 1890 drawing shows a steam-powered airplane (2:59). Footage shows the Wright Brothers, followed by animation of how the design worked, and actual footage of the flight (3:05-3:50). Footage is shown of the Voison brothers aircraft company. The first airplane flight is in Europe, and Wilber Wright flies there (3:52-4:30). A photo shows Gustave Eiffel, the Eiffel Tower, and a wind tunnel he developed (4:46-4:55). A visual airflow uses smoke in the air current (4:57-5:09). Frederick Lanchester sits in his office. An animation explains aerodynamics and how wing shape affects this (5:10-6:32). Louis Bleriot makes the first flight across the English Channel, followed by a diagram of his plane (6:34-7:05). Planes participate in the first air meet in 1909; one looks like a bicycle with wings (7:06-7:23). An artist’s rendition shows early observation hot air balloons, a Civil War photo shows hot air balloons, and a sketch shows a Paris hot air balloon factory (7:24-8:10). World War I planes are shown. A soldier waits with a machine gun for an approaching plane. The British Bristol F.2 fighter and German Fokker D.VII are shown (8:12-8:39). Shown are a Curtiss NC-4, Vickers Vimy bomber, Farman F.60 Goliath, and pilot Antoine de Saint-Exupery (8:40-9:26). Admiral Byrd flies over the North Pole and is celebrated there (9:27-9:38). The Armstrong Whitworth Argosy (G-EBLF) flew the Prince of Wales and Prince George home in 1931 (9:39-9:43). Lindbergh boards Spirit of St. Louis. The French celebrate his arrival (9:44-10:01). Commercial flight passengers take a Farman F.60 Goliath. An Aircraft Transport and Travel plane is shown, as is Helena (G-AAXF) on transcontinental mail service. A Handley Page HP.42E (G-AAGX) has booths, white tablecloths, and wine. [This plane disappeared on March 1, 1940 with 8 occupants onboard.] (10:16-10:40). An Air-Service truck delivers passengers. A woman walks up ladder steps to enter the plane. Police control a crowd celebrating Lindbergh (10:42-11:01). A 1940s airport terminal and control tower are shown. An animation and tones used explain using radio beams to find the route (11:13-12:23). The inside of an Air France cockpit and control tower are shown (12:25-12:42). A photo shows Coanda’s 1910 jet engine. A 1939 Heinkel He 178 turbojet flies by. A 1954 Boeing 707 takes test flights. The French Caravelle lifts off (12:52-13:35). A boy uses a balloon to show how a jet engine works, followed by an animation. A cut-away of an engine shows the action inside. Maintenance removes a jet engine cover (14:00-15:55). A steward in white with a red bowtie prepares a meal for passengers. A little girl builds a house of cards on her tray table (16:10-16:28). A stewardess pins tiny wings to a little girl’s coat (16:42-16:52).

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