Biological Design Inspires Aircraft Engineering
Despite being high-school drop-outs, the Wright brothers, Wilbur (1867-1912) and Orville (1871-1948), had sharp minds and mechanical aptitude, which they first displayed in the design of a printing press in the late 1880s and later as bicycle shop owners in the early 1890s. Their knowledge of mechanics grew, not from a formal education in engineering, but from self-study and practical, hands-on experience. This, combined with their fascination with flying, set the stage for the world to change on December 17, 1903. On the easternmost shores of North Carolina, on the sands of Kitty Hawk, the two brothers displayed and flew the first human-controlled and motorized airplane.
is a biologist with a technology and design background. He speaks on apologetics and writes on the interaction between Christianity, science, and technology at his blog, IBITE (ibitedge.blogspot.com).
