Aviation began with a dream. Humans, by nature, are inclined to always attempt the impossible, but flying always seemed like a dream. With hard work, imagination, and ingenuity, however, the first aircraft was designed. Then a functioning aircraft was built. Now, humans can fly across the world in a matter of hours, a feat that would shock anyone from the last century or so.
At Crew Tool, we are proud to be part of an industry that is at the forefront of the dreams of many. First, humans learned to fly. Once we perfected the art of flight, we went to space. Now, we continue to push the limits of what we believe we are capable of. But how exactly did we get to where we are today? Let’s look into the history of the aerospace engineering industry.
A Look Back in Time
It’s interesting to think back on the years that lead up to the Wright Brothers’ ideas. What inspired them so much that they decided to attempt the impossible? Humanity has always been curious and proud of its progress, but what compelled them to take that first step? It may have been faith that their ideas would succeed. Perhaps they believed that if they didn’t try, no one would. Either way, we have them and many others to thank for where we are today in modern transportation.
Back to the Beginning
Designs for ships that could sail through the air or ride the winds have been around for a long time. For example, Leonardo Da Vinci made sketches of a flying machine which he called the “ornithopter” around 1485. On December 17, 1903, Wilbur and Orville Wright took off in the very first powered airplane at Kitty Hawk. Since then, designs have been improved for optimal power and efficiency, transforming into some of the world’s top-performing aircraft today.
Reaching the Final Frontier
Without the first few planes, humankind would never have succeeded at spaceflight. We owe much of what we know about spacecraft to early airplane designs, which have been adapted to suit the unstable conditions of space. Today, there are many spacecraft designs that have been successful. It’s only a matter of time before we learn how to reach other planets, near and far.
Aerospace Engineering
The word “aerospace” is used to collectively refer to both space and the atmosphere. In fact, the aerospace industry encompasses both space and terrestrial flight. Aerospace engineering is one of the biggest defense industries, averaged at almost $2 billion in the United States. Aerospace engineers and others in the industry work together to make spaceflight happen as well as support our military and even domestic government groups. Aerospace technology makes way for new ideas that impact flight both on Earth and in space.
Aerospace Engineering Tools
Building a craft to take astronauts to the moon is no small feat. Highly specialized equipment is required to create such a complicated machine. Even aircraft that carry people from state to state need specialized materials. For example, it is crucial that the windows on an airplane are sealed tightly to prevent the cabin from depressurizing. To achieve this, engineers need to use specific silicone and other sealants to create a seamless closure. They require certain tools to handle these sealants as well. For another example, spacecraft require extremely detailed pieces of technology. Items like microchips and other small parts need to be created in a cleanroom, where no dust or contamination is present. For these parts, even the smallest speck of dirt or stray hair could ruin an entire operation, so specialty swabs and cleaning supplies are required to keep equipment and parts clean.
Take Flight With Crew Tool
At Crew Tool, we push the envelope. We believe in hard work and craftsmanship, which is why we work so hard to supply the aircraft and aviation industries with the best products. We offer stellar customer service with friendly and knowledgeable staff to help others spread their wings. If you’re looking for quality aviation tooling, you’ve landed on the right runway 一 Crew Tool has what you need. Reach out to us today to find out how we can help you get the products you need. Give us a call at (407) 377-5824 or send us an email at sales@crew-tool.com. We look forward to hearing from you!