The Evolution of Aerospace Engineering
Precision Investment Castings Ltd has been a supplier to the aerospace industry for over 70 years and over that time has borne witness to many amazing engineering innovations. As we look back over the decades at some of those inventions, it amazes us to imagine past employees, their experiences, the components they would have made and being linked to such an amazing heritage is something we are truly proud of.
So as we look back on some of the key advancements in aerospace engineering, it is important to acknowledge just how incredible they really were for their time taking into account the limited resources they would have had at the time in comparison to what we have at our disposal today.
The history of aerospace engineering
Aerospace engineering once had a slightly different name. It was originally called ”aeronautical” engineering. Jules Henri was one of the very first pioneers within the industry as he flew the very first steerable steam-powered airship in 1852. From this moment onwards, the evolution of aerospace engineering continued to make steps forward until the next major invention, the ”lighter than air” rigid airship in 1900.
The next logical step for the evolution of aerospace engineering was the invention of planes and helicopters being held in the air by well-designed and crafted wings and rotators. This wasn’t an easy step to make and took decades of trial and error to find an engine that would be powerful enough to operate these heavier air crafts. After much thought and innovation, Orville and Wilbur Wright, two American aviation pioneers, were credited with inventing, building, and flying the world’s first successful motor-operated airplane.
Within aerospace engineering, the Wright Brothers’ breakthrough was arguably one of the biggest and most notable advancement to this day. As a result of the success of the very first powered flight, it has seen aerospace engineering go from strength to strength in the UK. Not too long after this notable breakthrough, innovators within the UK created the world’s first twin-engine, wide-body aeroplane – The Boeing 747 – and whilst engineering has evolved a lot since then, to look at, the Boeing aircraft are still aesthetically very similar.
The invention and success of the helicopter is also regularly noted as one of the best aerospace engineering developments of the last century. The first manned helicopter take-off was long-awaited and anticipated but it finally happened in the year 1939. Early flight pioneers such as Igor Sikorsky are credited for the innovation of the helicopter and heavier than air crafts.
Whilst it can be exciting and mind-boggling simultaneously to think about where aerospace engineers could take us next, it’s good to reflect on the evolution of aerospace engineering to see how far we have come in a relatively short space of time.
With the technology that today’s innovators have at their disposal, the aerospace industry is an industry that we watch with excitement and intrigue.
Contact Precision Investment Castings
Some of our experience in aerospace castings includes applications such as flight controls, cabin components, gearbox assemblies, aircraft engine components, braking and landing components and much more. To find out about the high-quality parts that we manufacture for the aerospace industry, call us today on 0161 925 5160 or use our contact form to submit your enquiry about investment casting.