“the Evolution of Airplanes”
“The Evolution of Airplanes”
Introduction
This year is the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), the father of evolution. Darwin’s evolution theory proposes that all species of organisms, including human beings, evolved from common ancestors. There are five main characteristics in his evolution theory. First, there are variations among each population. Second, organisms compete for limited resources to exist. Third, traits of offspring are inherited from their parents. Forth, organisms reproduce to keep themselves from extinction. Lastly, organisms with better traits are more likely to survive and reproduce[i]. All living organisms follow the evolution theory. Surprisingly, some non-living objects also show characteristics of evolution. Airplanes, for instance, exhibit variations among different models; models with better function can be produce in mass amount while others are eliminated from the market. This essay focuses on how airplanes were modified throughout these years and how they demonstrate the evolution theory of Darwin.
The evolution process of airplanes Before the invention of airplane, people use lighter-than-air flying machine for aviation, air balloon and airship for example. These machines cannot undergo a prolong flight and they have limitation in speed, height and capacity. Unlike airship and air balloon, airplane overcomes the border between countries and has great impact in human transportation history.
Pioneer The first person having the idea to build a flying machine was not The Wright Brothers; it was Leonardo da Vinci, the great scientist. Leonardo studied the flight of birds and their structure, then in about 1490, he designed a wing-flapping device known as ornithopter, which was designed to be human-powered[ii]. Although the machine was not built, his idea had inspired others to make one.
Breakthrough in heavier-than-air flight In the past, scientists believed that birds can fly forward and lift because of
Introduction
This year is the 200th birthday of Charles Darwin (1809-1882), the father of evolution. Darwin’s evolution theory proposes that all species of organisms, including human beings, evolved from common ancestors. There are five main characteristics in his evolution theory. First, there are variations among each population. Second, organisms compete for limited resources to exist. Third, traits of offspring are inherited from their parents. Forth, organisms reproduce to keep themselves from extinction. Lastly, organisms with better traits are more likely to survive and reproduce[i]. All living organisms follow the evolution theory. Surprisingly, some non-living objects also show characteristics of evolution. Airplanes, for instance, exhibit variations among different models; models with better function can be produce in mass amount while others are eliminated from the market. This essay focuses on how airplanes were modified throughout these years and how they demonstrate the evolution theory of Darwin.
The evolution process of airplanes Before the invention of airplane, people use lighter-than-air flying machine for aviation, air balloon and airship for example. These machines cannot undergo a prolong flight and they have limitation in speed, height and capacity. Unlike airship and air balloon, airplane overcomes the border between countries and has great impact in human transportation history.
Pioneer The first person having the idea to build a flying machine was not The Wright Brothers; it was Leonardo da Vinci, the great scientist. Leonardo studied the flight of birds and their structure, then in about 1490, he designed a wing-flapping device known as ornithopter, which was designed to be human-powered[ii]. Although the machine was not built, his idea had inspired others to make one.
Breakthrough in heavier-than-air flight In the past, scientists believed that birds can fly forward and lift because of