The field of aerospace has been investigated for centuries but it can be said that modern aerospace began with the first powered flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17, 1903, by the Wright brothers.

From there, aerospace has grown to be one of the most exciting, diverse, and fast paced fields of today. From the hot-air balloons of 18th century to the first wood-and-cloth plane of Wilbur and Orville Wright to the first manned mission to the moon on Apollo 11 to the new and exciting aircraft being developed by companies like Boeing, Airbus, and Bombardier, aerospace has come a long way in a little over a century.

Aerospace manufacturing is an industry that produces "aircraft, guided missiles, space vehicles, aircraft engines, propulsion units, and related parts," according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the United States Web site. Most of the industry is geared toward governmental work.

In the United States, the Department of Defense and NASA are the two biggest consumers of aerospace technology and products. The leading aerospace manufacturers in the world are Boeing (absorbed McDonnell Douglas), United Technologies Corporation, and Lockheed Martin Corp.

Starting in the 1980’s for Boeing (acquired McDonnell Douglas) and continuing through the 1990’s and new millennium with Lockheed Martin, WHL has continued to provide architectural and engineering services to the aerospace industry.