You'd HAVE to be joking, 411A.
The US is very much in the minority when it comes to inventing stuff for aviation.
First aerdynamic devices - Australian Aboriginal boomerang.
First kites - Chinese
First ballons - French
First First glider flights - German (correct me here if I'm wrong)
First powered controlled flight - New Zealand
First Atlantic crossing - English
First Pacific crossing - Australian
First jet engines - German
First man-made object into space - German
Flight Data Recorders - Australian
Distance Measuring Equipment - Australian
INS - Based on German research
Swept wings & wing wings also German
Ramjet invented by the French
Radial engine configuration is Australian
... and no doubt other stuff that I can't remember at the moment.
The US has contributed various things to aviation, but in the big scheme of things no more than it's fair share.
Last edited by 18-Wheeler; 27th May 2002 at 00:16.