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Join this channel to get access to perks: Want to learn more about Periscope Film? Join us on Patreon. Visit Visit our website Produced by United Aircraft Corporation in 1953 as a promotional film, this documentary “We Saw It Happen“ chronicles the evolution of flight for the first 50 years. It starts with the Wright Brothers and moves through both World Wars, then into modern airplanes of the 50s, such as commercial and jet airplanes. Showcases interviews from engineers, pilots and military leaders who all contributed to the development of aviation and are responsible for what it is today. The film begins with scenes of the beach in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina where the Wright brothers first tested gliders. Clips of the first flights by the Wright brothers (2:15). Charlie Taylor explains the motor that he invented for the first airplane. Lieutenant Frank P. Lahm speaks about to a contract between the Wright brothers and the military. Benjamin Foulois speaks about flying with Orville Wright on a speed test (6:14). Image of a crashed plane where Lieutenant Thomas E. Selfridge was killed and Orville Wright was injured (6:10). Image of the first prototype of a helicopter (8:03). Glenn Martin reads a postcard from his doctor to his mother (8:28). Donald Douglas is interviewed with his dog. Roy Knabenshue is interviewed with a picture of a balloon. A plane with a towering stack of wings attempts to take off and crumbles (10:04). More failed but inventive flying machines are demonstrated. A plane flies through the sky above the Capitol building, then pulls up to the steps to a waiting crowd (11:22). A Curtiss C plane flies through the air with close ups of the engine. Quick shot of Larry Bell. Frederick Rentschler speaks of WWI changing aviation. John Towers speaks about Glenn Curtiss and learning to fly (14:01). Clips of military action on the ground. Soldiers carry the coffin of Franz Ferdinand of Austria signifying the start of WWI (5:30). Planes fly over the ground warfare. Igor Sikorsky Speaks about his contributions to aviation. Leonard Hobbs speaks about the history of the combustion engine (18:20). Clips of submarine warfare. Women put the sheeting on airplanes in a factory (20:14). Oliver Echols speaks about airplane warfare (20:53). Planes spin in the sky performing military maneuvers. Eddie Rickenbacker speaks about differences between planes of WWI and WWII (21:52). Dewitt Ramsey speaks over footage of the British ships “The Furious” and “The Argus” which were converted to carry planes. Soldiers march down streets. The NC-4 plane drives into the ocean. William Boeing is interviewed from his porch about the first flight to bring international mail into the states. Bombs are dropped onto a German ship the Ostfriesland from the air, the ship sinks (27:08). Planes take off from the first aircrafts carriers, “The Lexington” and “The Saratoga.” Quick shot of Lawrence Sperry. Still of Virginius Clark. Sam Heron smokes on a bench. Frank Mock poses in front of an airplane. Quick shot of Frank Caldwell. Jack Horner speaks from inside a plane. Lindbergh takes off in “The Spirit of St. Louis.” Clarence Chamberlin Smiles while holding a sheep. Interview with General Jimmy Doolittle speaking about the first transcontinental flights. Carl Spaatz and Ira Eaker fly side by side. Shot of one airplane refueling another airplane mid-air (33:14). A shade is pulled over the cock pit in preparation for the first blind flight made by Jimmy Doolittle (34:11). Leroy Grumman is interviewed. Clips of Hitler in Germany and Nazis marching signaling the beginning of WWII. Scenes of the war play out all over the world. Airplanes drop torpedoes into the ocean. John Thach speaks about the Battle of Midway (43:50). Wellwood Beall speaks about airplanes take a more offensive position (45:00). Hundreds of bombs are shown dropping from POV of the airplane. A flash is followed by a large mushroom cloud (49:17). People board a commercial airplane. Robert Gross is interviewed about airplanes moving away from military use. Scenes from the Berlin Airlift. Footage of two of the first jet airplanes, “The Mig” and “The Sabre.” Helicopters transport wounded soldiers. Mundy Peale is interviewed. The Bell X-1 flies through the air. Dutch Kindelberger speaks about the future of aviation and how planes will travel the speed of sound (53:50). Chuck Yeager and William Bridgeman discuss breaking the sonic barrier. A stewardess approaches Frank P. Lahm and asks him his name and if he has flown before (59:00). The End. This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit
