2. Why did it take so long for man to realize the dream of
flight?
I believe one of the main reasons it took so long for man to
realize the dream of flight is the development of complex engineering and
physics principles. It took a great amount of time to acquire the knowledge of
aerodynamics and fluid dynamics, which proved to be quite crucial. Furthermore,
in order to successfully achieve flight, the innovators needed advanced tools to
collect the key pieces of data needed to glide through the air. Although it
seemed as though they had the supplies needed to build an apparatus, many would
argue there is a very slim chance that they could have tweaked it just right
without any measurements. However, this likely applies only to heavier than air
flight. The concept that hot air rises was understood many years before people
were able to get into the air. In this situation, it is likely that there was a
lack of the creativity that was needed to design something that would fly. Given
this assumption, it is difficult to point to the true reason as to why it took
so long for man to realize the dream of flight. Perhaps it was truly something
that only the Wright brothers could accomplish.
4. What three methods of solving the challenge of flight
emerged by the late nineteenth century and how effective were they?
The first method of solving the challenge of flight was for experimenters
to completely design an aircraft based on research then to build it full scale.
This method was the least influential on the achievement of flight. The most
notable achievements were those of powered hops through the air. It was by this
method that experimenters were first able to successfully make a powered
aircraft carrying a human take off. The second method involved the use of
models to design aircrafts. This method was significantly more successful than
the first, and was the safest option. There was much research in helicopters,
ornithopers, and rotary-wing models. The final, and most dangerous, method was
to design and pilot gliders. This method resulted in many injuries, deaths, and
frightened experimenters. After crashing, some experimenters opted to use
ballast to represent a passenger, but few continued to fly after a couple
attempts. Yet, this method did in fact yielded the greatest and most
influential results. The longest flight, which was 138 feet, was achieved via
this method. Wilber Wright preferred this method, stating, “If you were looking
for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on the fence and watch the birds.
But if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted
with its tricks by actual practice.”
5.
Why did Wilbur and Orville Wright achieve success before their contemporaries?
The Wright brothers achieved greater success due their keen
eye for innovation. Their unlikely background in bicycles made it possible for
them to create a link to the airplane that wasn’t so obvious to the average
person. It was however a thought of both the Wright brothers and news paper
journalist. When the brothers began, they set out with the goal to create an
airplane that could be as easy to use and control as a bicycle. They were very
experienced with materials, and were therefore able to create Wilber made the
first step by realizing how to shape the wing in order to create the greatest
lift. The wings were created with fabric and flexible rods that allowed the
wings to flex in order to keep off the ground during flight. They also designed
their craft so that the pilot could control the wings so as to keep the craft
balanced. The wings were in fact a great contributor of their success. They
were also able to design an engine that weighed only 200 lbs. Despite their
lack of a formal education, the incredibly genius innovation in the design of
the wings, engine and balance of the plane made it possible for them to
generate the first flight.
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