History of Aerospace Engineering
In 1990, when you started your aerospace engineering degree, things were a little different. The internet was in its early stages, and most people were still using dial-up connections. Smartphones didn’t exist, and if you wanted to watch a movie, you had to go to the theater.
Aerospace engineering has come a long way in the last few decades. New technologies have emerged, and the field has continued to evolve. Aerospace engineering is now responsible for designing and manufacturing everything from passenger jets to spacecraft.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the history of aerospace engineering and some of the major advancements that have been made in the field. Download
The Early Days of Aerospace Engineering
When most people think of aerospace engineering, they think of the modern era—the high-tech world of planes, satellites, and rockets. But the field of aerospace engineering actually has a long and storied history, dating back to the early days of aviation.
It all started in the 1890s, when two French brothers named Louis and Charles Lavauden began designing and building gliders. Their work would lay the groundwork for future generations of aviation pioneers.
In 1910, a Russian man named Igor Sikorsky designed and built the world’s first successful helicopter. And in 1919, an American man named John Alcock completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight. These early pioneers helped to shape the fledgling field of aerospace engineering, and set the stage for all that would come later.
The First Successful Powered Flight
Up until 1903, all manned flights had been accomplished using gliders. But that all changed on December 17th, 1903, when the Wright brothers made the first successful powered flight.
The Wright brothers were two bicycle mechanics from Ohio who had a passion for flying. They started their own company in 1899 and began working on a flying machine. After years of experimenting, they finally got their plane off the ground.
The Wright brothers’ first flight only lasted for 12 seconds and traveled 120 feet, but it was a huge accomplishment nonetheless. And it paved the way for future aviation pioneers.
The Wright Brothers and Their Contribution to Aerospace Engineering
If you’re interested in the history of aerospace engineering, you can’t skip over the Wright Brothers. These two guys are the ones who changed everything with their invention of the airplane.
Sure, there were others who had tried to build a flying machine before them, but the Wright Brothers were the first to figure out how to make it work. And not only that, but they also figured out how to control it in the air. That was a major game changer.
Thanks to their innovation, we’re able to travel through the air and explore new frontiers. The Wright Brothers paved the way for all of us who came after them, and for that, we owe them a debt of gratitude.
The Birth of the Jet Engine
You might not know this, but the jet engine was actually invented in the early 1900s. It just took a while for it to catch on.
The first jet engine was actually created by a man named Frank Whittle. He was an RAF pilot who was looking for a way to make his planes faster. In the 1930s, he came up with the idea of using a gas turbine to power an aircraft.
But it wasn’t until the 1940s that his invention really started to take off. That’s when the British Air Ministry began to invest in his research, and they started building planes that were powered by jet engines.
Aerospace Engineering in the Modern Era
In the modern era, aerospace engineering has taken on a whole new meaning. It’s no longer just about designing and building aircraft—now it’s about creating innovative technologies that will change the way we travel and explore our world.
Aerospace engineering is all about pushing the boundaries, and over the past few decades, we’ve seen some incredible advancements in this field. We’ve gone from propeller airplanes to supersonic jets, from analog control systems to digital fly-by-wire systems, and from slide rules to computational fluid dynamics.
The future of aerospace engineering is looking pretty bright, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Thanks for joining me on this journey through history!
The Future of Aerospace Engineering
So, what’s the future of aerospace engineering? That’s a tough question to answer, but we can take a look at some of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
For one, we need to come up with new ways to power aircraft. There’s been a lot of progress in this area, but we need to continue to explore new technologies like hybrid and electric power.
Another important challenge is reducing aircraft noise. This is becoming more and more important as airports are increasingly built closer to residential neighborhoods.
And finally, there’s the question of sustainability. How can we make sure that aircraft are environmentally friendly and don’t contribute to climate change? These are big challenges, but with the right approach, I think we can overcome them.
Conclusion
Aerospace engineering has come a long way in the past few decades, and it’s only going to continue to grow. If you’re interested in a career in this field, don’t hesitate – now is the time to get started.
Aerospace engineering is a fascinating and challenging field, and it’s only going to become more important in the years to come. If you’re ready to start your journey towards a career in aerospace engineering, we’re here to help.