Re:The Wright brothers: The O.G. startup founders?
by WalterBright on Wednesday April 28, 2021 @03:25PM
(#26973074)
The Wrights' innovations are:
1. first mathematical propeller theory combining blade element theory with momentum theory, producing 90% efficient propellers
2. first lightweight aviation engine
3. first 3-axis control system
4. first use of wind tunnel to evaluate wing design of area, aspect ratio, airfoil section and tip shape
5. first research and development program using a series of prototypes to test each feature
6. correctly identifying that control was the primary problem
7. correctly identifying that an airplane must bank in order to turn
8. correctly identifying "adverse yaw" and the rudder as solution
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_Lilienthal
This is important because, for example they did not invent ailerons, but blended the wing and constant litigation from their patents block all progress in aviation in the US for a long time because they wanted to take possession of the inventions others have created(like ailerons) and became a monopoly.
Only the war and the US gobertment intervening did stop the blocking.