Electric power in aircraft

AT THE PRESENT time there is a very fine opportunity for the application of real engineering skill in the extension of the use of electric power in airplanes. Until very recent years airplanes in general have been relatively small and uncomplicated. Control operations could be accomplished readily by direct mechanical means, and such simple electrical functions as came to hand were taken care of adequately by low-voltage battery-magneto systems analogous to those used in automobiles. However, with the very large and very fast airplanes now being developed, problems arise for which electricity presents many interesting possibilities.