I want to listen to an >hour-long podcast episode where several people wise to the relevant history argue about why none of the great sailing societies were able to adapt their knowledge and develop even (hang gliders eg) rudimentary aviation. Who would be the right people?
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Fixed-wing flight is aerodynamically like tacking rotated 90 degrees right?
I don’t think people actually understood the principles that made tacking work until quite late. It was discovered late and only understood practically I think. Like alchemy type mental models.
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When I say tacking I mean sailing upwind not the zig zag maneuver part
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I love these stories — the phrases in this one are inimitable/unforgettable. But they’re all one-offs! (even Lilienthal whose flight was photographed) and, didn’t lead to any kind of von Hippel-style innovation flywheels
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"This man is uncanny: he is capable of doing anything he wishes. It is not right to surround oneself with such people"
How many times has a breakthrough died, by getting this kind of reaction?
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