When we think of important inventions, the telephone, electric light bulb, or even the car might come to mind. But what about things that have made a more subtle impact on our day-to-day lives? Today, we’re going to take a look at five such inventions that have had a profound effect on commercial aviation.
Though they may not be as well known as other famous innovations, they’ve helped make air travel what it is today. So without further ado, let’s get started!
1. The Jet Engine
The invention of the jet engine has transformed commercial aviation and made it possible for airplanes to travel at unprecedented speeds. Prior to the invention of the jet engine, airplane travel was limited by the power of propellers.
The Wright brothers’ first powered flight in 1903 lasted only 12 seconds and reached a top speed of just 10 miles per hour. But with the development of the jet engine, planes could achieve much higher speeds.
The first jet-powered flight took place in 1939, and by the 1950s, jet-powered planes were regularly exceeding 600 miles per hour. Today, the fastest commercial jets can reach speeds of over 700 miles per hour.
The jet engine has not only made air travel faster but also more efficient, as planes can now fly at higher altitudes where the air is thinner and requires less fuel to maintain altitude.
The invention of the jet engine has truly transformed commercial aviation and made it possible for people to travel around the world in a matter of hours.
2. The Airplane
The airplane is widely considered one of the most important inventions of the 20th century. It has transformed commercial aviation and made it possible for people to travel to parts of the world that were previously inaccessible.
The Wright brothers are widely credited with inventing the airplane, and their bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio, was the birthplace of the modern aviation industry. The Wright brothers were not the only pioneers in aviation; there were also many other inventors who played a role in the development of the airplane.
One of the most important was Glenn Curtiss, who designed and built some of the first successful aircraft engines. Curtiss’s work helped to make airplanes faster and more powerful, which made them more practical for commercial use.
The airline industry would not exist today without the airplane, and it is safe to say that the world is a much smaller place because of this remarkable invention.
3. Air Traffic Control
Air traffic control is one of the most important inventions in the history of commercial aviation. Without it, airplanes would constantly be running into each other, and travel would be a far more dangerous proposition.
Air traffic control is responsible for ensuring that aircraft stay safely separated from each other, and that they arrive at their destinations on time. The system consists of a network of radar towers and ground-based controllers who track the progress of every flight and provide guidance to pilots.
In recent years, air traffic control has become even more important as the number of aircraft in the sky has increased dramatically. Thanks to air traffic control, millions of people are able to travel by airplane every day without incident.
4. Radar Technology
Without radar technology, the skies would be a lot more crowded, and a lot less safe. That’s because radar is responsible for helping air traffic controllers keep track of all the flights in the sky, and ensuring that they stay safely separated.
But radar isn’t just important for keeping planes from colliding. It also helps pilots avoid severe weather, by giving them advance warning of storms and other hazardous conditions. In fact, radar is so essential to safe flying that it’s now required on all commercial aircraft.
So next time you take to the skies, be thankful for radar-one of the most important inventions in aviation history.
5. Satellite Imagery
Satellite imagery has been one of the most important inventions in recent years. It has completely transformed commercial aviation. Prior to satellite imagery, airlines had to rely on inefficient and often inaccurate methods to track their planes.
This resulted in delays and cancellations, as well as a lack of transparency for passengers. Satellite imagery has changed all of that. Now, airlines can track their planes in real-time, meaning that delays and cancellations are a thing of the past.
In addition, passengers can now see exactly where their plane is at any given time, making flying a much more transparent and enjoyable experience. Thanks to satellite imagery, commercial aviation has never been better.
Commercial aviation has come a long way in the past hundred years. We’ve seen some amazing inventions and innovations that have made air travel safer, faster, and more comfortable for passengers.
What new technologies or ideas do you think will transform commercial aviation in the next hundred years? Let us know in the comments!