PrefaceAcknowledgmentsList of Abbreviations Used in the TextIntroduction1. Constructing the Supersonic Age2. Technological Rivalry and the Cold War3. Engineering the National Champion4. Of Noise, Jumbos, and SSTs5. Of Ozone, the Concorde, and SSTs6. The Airbus, the Orient Express, and the Renaissance of Speed7. Toward a Green SST8. Sic Transit HSCTConclusionNotesEssay on SourcesIndex

Erik M. Conway constructs an insightful history that focuses primarily on the political and commercial factors responsible for the rise and fall of American supersonic transport research programs. Conway charts commercial supersonic research efforts through the changing relationships between international and domestic politicians, government contractors, private investors, and environmentalists. He documents post–World War II efforts at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, NASA, and the Defense Department to generate supersonic flight technologies; European and American attempts to commercialize these technologies during the 1950s and 1960s; environmental campaigns against SST technology in the 1970s; and subsequent attempts to revitalize supersonic technology at the end of the century."A concise and thoroughly fascinating history of the train wreck that was the U.S. supersonic civil transport programs."—Air and Space Magazine"Conway seems to have struck the right balance between the nuts-and-bolts of aircraft design and discussion of larger issues, particularly state support for advanced technology . . . An original and valuable contribution to the saga of a dream deferred."—Technology and Culture"Conway does an excellent job of explaining the nationalism inherent in supersonic transport during the Cold War and the domestic American politics surrounding the project."—Isis"Comprehensive and enjoyable . . . A cautionary tale of half-baked federal technology and economic policies high-jacking public funds for a concept aircraft that was an engineering boondoggle, a financial black hole, and an environmental fiend."—History and Technology"[Conway's] examination of the development of supersonic aviation and the various SST programs provides a fascinating internal look at how the technology developed, while also connecting that development with the issue of the larger meaning of technology in society."—Journal of American HistoryErik M. Conway serves as historian, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California.

Of interest to historians and social scientists concerned with the politics and economics of public policy... An important book on a fascinating topic. Choice 2005 A concise and thoroughly fascinating history of the train wreck that was the U.S. supersonic civil transport programs. Air and Space Magazine 2006 A readable narrative on the interplay between politics, technology, and economics. Airways 2006 Conway seems to have struck the right balance between the nuts-and-bolts of aircraft design and discussion of larger issues, particularly state support for advanced technology... An original and valuable contribution to the saga of a dream deferred. -- Virginia P. Dawson Technology and Culture 2006 Conway does an excellent job of explaining the nationalism inherent in supersonic transport during the Cold War and the domestic American politics surrounding the project. -- Stephen G. Craft Isis 2006 A serious academic work... likely to interest historians and those interested in aerospace research. Satellite Evolution Group 2007 Comprehensive and enjoyable... A cautionary tale of half-baked federal technology and economic policies high-jacking public funds for a concept aircraft that was an engineering boondoggle, a financial black hole and an environmental fiend. -- Thomas Yates History and Technology 2007 [Conway's] examination of the development of supersonic aviation and the various SST programs provides a fascinating internal look at how the technology developed, while also connecting that development with the issue of the larger meaning of technology in society. -- Andrew Baird Journal of American History 2006

Impressive and thorough. An important contribution to our understanding of state-supported large-scale technological development in America. It will be of interest to aerospace enthusiasts, historians of technology, and students of public policy.—Alex Roland, Duke University, former president of the Society for the History of Technology

Impressive and thorough. An important contribution to our understanding of state-supported large-scale technological development in America. It will be of interest to aerospace enthusiasts, historians of technology, and students of public policy. -- Alex Roland, Duke University, former president of the Society for the History of Technology