THE ROLE OF SCIENCE IN THE CREATION OF AN AIRPLANE
- Authors: Sobolev D.A1
-
Affiliations:
- S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences
- Issue: Vol 46, No 4 (2025)
- Pages: 647–689
- Section: From the History of Technology
- URL: https://ogarev-online.ru/0205-9606/article/view/361629
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.7868/S2713041X25060045
- ID: 361629
Open Access
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Abstract
For the first time in Russia, the article examines the role of science in the creation of an airplane. At first glance, the role of science in the development of technology seems to be obvious, as scientists’ works promote the advancement of technology. However, in early aviation, it was different: based on Newton’s conclusions, the opinion began to prevail in mechanics that heavier-than-air vehicle flight was impossible, and governments refused to provide funding for building aircrafts. The situation was saved by the efforts of the engineers-experimenters who, while studying the aerodynamic forces acting on the wing in the air flow, proved that it was possible to create bird-like machines with an engine and a man on board. This made possible the flight on a glider and, subsequently, on an airplane.
About the authors
D. A Sobolev
S. I. Vavilov Institute for the History of Science and Technology, Russian Academy of Sciences
Email: daso1152@mail.ru
Moscow, Russia
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