The birthplace of powered flight.
 

I've just driven through a small town in Somerset call Chard and was a little sceptical to see a sign proclaiming the town 'The Birthplace of Powered Flight'. However, after a few quick internet searches it seems they may be right.

I found a few short articles online but can anybody point me to some more in depth information about John Stringfellow and his steam powered aircraft? What would be the best book to read?

Thanks.

Read Charles Gibbs-Smith's book "The Aeroplane: an historical survey" and you will not only get the Stringfellow/Henson story, you will get it in context.