Flying model craft and stories of manned flight go back many centuries; however, the first manned ascent — and safe descent — in modern times took place by larger hot-air balloons developed in the 18th century. Each of the two World Wars led to great technical advances. Consequently, the history of aircraft can be divided into five eras:

- Pioneers of flight, from the earliest experiments to 1914.
- First World War, 1914 to 1918.
- Aviation between the World Wars, 1918 to 1939.
- Second World War, 1939 to 1945.
- Postwar era, also called the Jet Age, 1945 to the present day.
What are the first and third eras of aircraft history mentioned in the text below and when did they end? Use a bullet list and the format {Name} ({Year}).
- Pioneers of flight (1914)
- Aviation between the World Wars (1939)