I did a book in 1996, an overview of black history. In that process I became more aware of a lot of the black inventors of the 19th century.

In a typical history book, black Americans are mentioned in the context of slavery or civil rights. There's so much more to the story.

Lead, kindly Light, amid the encircling gloom,/ Lead thou me on;/ The night is dark, and I am far from home,/ Lead thou me on.

And with the morn those angel faces smile/ Which I have loved long since, and lost awhile.

To holy people the very name of Jesus is a name to feed upon, a name to transport. His name can raise the dead and transfigure and beautify the living.

What the history of aviation has brought in the 20th century should inspire us to be inventors and explorers ourselves in the new century.