Is anyone watching or did anyone watch the discovery channel show on the Wright Brothers?

[Brutuskend]

I learned a few things I didn't know.

They designed and built their own Propellers which ran at 80% efficiency. (A modern Propeller runs at about 85%!!)

They designed and built their own engine weighing less than 200 Lbs and producing approximately 15 HP. (Other engines at the time weighed about 10 Lbs per horse power!)

I knew their discovery was amazing, but I never knew HOW amazing it really was!!

 

[Antisocial Virge]

weighing less than 200 Lbs and producing approximately 15 HP. (Other engines at the time weighed about 10 Lbs per horse power!)

200lbs=15hp

or

10lbs/HP = 15hp X 10lbs = 150lbs

?

 

[Brutuskend]

OK I got that wrong.
Other engines at the time, in order to have 8 Horse power would weigh around 800 Lbs.

(You do the math, I SUCK at math!)

Edit. OK..100 Lbs per Horse.. Duhhh

 

[alkemyst]

hehe I think some of the facts got reported wrong....

 

[Brutuskend]

Yeah, it's been a long day.

I'm tired!

At least it wasn't a not funny JOKE!

 

[Sketcher]

Yeah, been watching the progression of the design to flight for about a week. Amazing stuff; the detail put into the wing spars and exacting craftsmanship overall.

 

[Brutuskend]

Yeah it is.

Hey I'm a bike mechanic AND a trained Aircraft Mechanic.

Think I'll build myself a Air Plane!!

 

[alkemyst]

Regardless of what was what, the Wright Bros changed society. One day in the park can do that for anyone.

I missed my window of opportunity and now I am trying to find it again.

 

[Yossarian]

The Wright brothers were geniuses. Not only that but they persevered through many major setbacks. They would fly for a few seconds, crash, then have to rebuild after almost every flight. It is truly amazing that we went from knowing nothing about flying to landing a man on the moon in just 63 years. Even today aircraft manufacturers look back to the Wright brothers for inspiration--the Air Force is experimenting with aircraft that use wing warping to bank, just like the Wright Flyer did.