Aerodynamics
// DISCOVER THE FORCES OF FLIGHT
In the era of the Scientific Revolution, great minds like Isaac Newton and Daniel Bernoulli laid the groundwork for our understanding of the forces that allow us to defy gravity.
These sequential educational articles dive into the fascinating realm of the unseen and explore the principles that have taken us from the age of discovery to the mastery of flight.
The Lift Force
BEYOND THE BREEZE
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For centuries, humans have looked to the skies, captivated by the dream of flight. The earliest recorded flights were with kites, believed to have originated in China around 1000 BC. These lightweight structures harnessed the wind, hinting at the potential within our atmosphere.
Fast forward to the dawn of the 20th century, when the Wright brothers, Orville and Wilbur, turned humanity's dream into a reality by achieving the first powered, sustained, and controlled flight with their aircraft, the Wright Flyer, in 1903.
This monumental achievement was a testament to our more profound understanding of aerodynamics and our ability to work harmoniously with the forces of our atmosphere…
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Long before the age of computers and wind tunnels, the pioneers of aerodynamics were limited to observations and rudimentary experiments.
Leonardo da Vinci, conducted numerous studies on flight, fluid dynamics, and turbulence, laying foundational theories that were centuries ahead of their time. Despite the absence of advanced technology, his observations led to the concept of 'streamlining,' a principle that today's aerodynamicists utilize for everything from aircraft design to automobile efficiency.
In the early 20th century, Ludwig Prandtl revolutionized aerodynamics with his pioneering work on the boundary layer. Recognizing that air near an object's surface behaves differently than air further away, Prandtl laid the foundation for modern aerodynamic theory. His insights have had profound implications, not just for aviation but for various other engineering disciplines as well.
The boundary layer concept, central to our latest episode, is a tribute to Prandtl's lasting impact on understanding the intricacies between fluid and surface…
// MORE COMING SOON
Our debut series "Beyond the Breeze," explores the fascinating world of aerodynamics and the force of lift. Subscribe now and get the latest articles delivered straight to your inbox.