How to create something new by reusing components?
At first glance, it does not seem the most logical thing. Still, throughout history, different characters have resorted to reusing already created and functional components to give life to new innovative creations.
Wright Brothers and the first plane flight
In 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright made the first successful flight in the history of a heavier-than-air self-propelled airplane. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered propeller-powered biplane, which floated for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its maiden flight.
The key to success can be summed up in great creativity, the ability to think visually and turn abstract ideas into functional hardware. Both brothers possessed extraordinary technical knowledge and a sophisticated approach to solving mechanical design problems. In 1892 they opened a bicycle repair and sale workshop. Soon, they were building their own bikes. This experience, combined with the profits from their various businesses, allowed them to actively pursue their dream of making the world’s first airplane.
Figure 1 – Stationary letterhead for 1034 West Third Street Wright Cycle Company, letter from Wilbur to Father Milton, courtesy of the Library of Congress Archives.
And it is that a feat that materialized in 1903 began many years before with multiple designs, recalculations, investigations, and MVPs (minimum viable products). For all this, several prototypes and tiny models were made. These sought to test theories; therefore, they had to be built quickly and agilely to save resources and take advantage of the moment’s emotion.
To build and test the different gliders created before the remarkable success, they reused from bicycles, kites, and even fans. Finally, on December 17th, the first 12-second human flight was made, and that would undoubtedly mark the course of history.
Figure 2 – Wright Flyer – Airplane Blueprint. Drawing Plans for Wright Flyer, built by Orville and Wilbur Wright, is a drawing by StockPhotosArtCom, uploaded on October 20th, 2018.
What can we learn from the Wright brothers? First, they did not try to make an airplane from scratch. Instead, they envisioned the reuse of other objects that together formed a new and innovative functional machine. Today, planes are not made with bicycles. However, in the 1900s, a bike was an essential key to success, allowing innovators to focus on the important problem and solve it.
“If you are looking for perfect safety, you will do well to sit on a fence and watch the birds; but if you really wish to learn, you must mount a machine and become acquainted with its tricks by actual trial.”
Wilbur Wright
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Source: https://airandspace.si.edu/exhibitions/wright-brothers/online/who/1895/biketoflight.cfm