What invention led to the creation of 87 million jobs and serves over 850 million customers per year? In this episode of Johan Norberg’s New and Improved, Norberg shares the inspiring history of the airplane and its profound consequences for modern culture and industry.

Groundbreaking revolutions are often dismissed as ridiculous or impossible, even by respected scientific authorities. Lord Kelvin, a legendary scientist and President of the Royal Society of London, declared heavier-than-air flying machines to be impossible.

Many think of technological breakthroughs as the result of massive collaborative efforts orchestrated by giant organizations. But such institutions not only did not invent airplanes, they repeatedly rejected offers from the two bicycle mechanics who did.

SUGGESTED READING

Michael Marshall, 10 impossibilities conquered by science
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13556-10-impossibilities-conquered-by-science/

Fred C. Kelly, A Study in Human Incredulity
https://www.wright-brothers.org/History_Wing/Aviations_Attic/They_Wouldnt_Believe/They_Wouldnt_Believe_the_Wrights_Had_Flown.htm

Vernon J. Edwards, The True Story of the Wright Brothers' Contract (It’s not what you think.)
http://www.wifcon.com/anal/analwright.htm

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Learn more about Johan Norberg’s New and Improved and sign up to receive series updates at https://www.freetochoosenetwork.org/newandimproved/.

Follow Johan Norberg on Twitter @JohanKNorberg
https://twitter.com/johanknorberg

Johan Norberg is an author, lecturer, and documentary filmmaker, born in Sweden. He is Executive Editor at Free To Choose Media as well as a Senior Fellow at the Cato Institute in Washington D.C. and the European Centre for International Political Economy in Brussels. He received his M.A. in the History of Ideas from the University of Stockholm.

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