Breaking the sound barrier for the first time

[mge456]

While most of us are probably too young to have been alive when it occurred, the first supersonic flight remains one of the key moments in the history of aviation. The historic flight was achieved by Chuck Yeager, in October 1947, reaching a speed of Mach 1.06: http://www.aircharter.co.uk/sonic-boom- ... d-barrier/

It's fascinating that they were able to achieve this feat such a long time ago, but does anyone wonder where the aviation and flight industry would be without this landmark? How far back could we be with technology? How long would it have been before someone else achieved the first supersonic flight?

What does everyone else think?

[danerazz]

Agreed, but I think even more important than the actual act of breaking the sound barrier was the spirit of trying to do something that seemed impossible and the research into everything involved, which led to innovation with countless other uses.

Unfortunately we seem to have lost that spirit and drive to be the first, best, or even mediocre. Everybody just wants their free stuff and money for nothing, and they think it is owed to them just for sucking air.