The question here asks why aeroplanes were not invented in 1840. The reason it's asked is because the idea was noted in 1840. Leonardo Da Vinci produced blueprints of what the aeroplane should be. He called this the 'Flying Machine'. Thus if the idea was available, why was is not produced until 1903 via the Wright Brothers?
1) Demand
A problem here was that there were substitutes. There were steamships, steam trains and hot air balloons for long distance travel. Horses sufficed for short term travel. Thus demand was satiated. It was not until the build up to WW1 where the benefits of air travel could be identified. It's demand then began.
2) Supply
The knowledge of physics was not advanced back in 1840 in comparison to how it developed in the twentieth century. Hughes was the first navigator to accepting heavy engines being a contradictory concept. This can be seen as a prerequisite for future inventions. Then, Sir George Cayley created the concept of lift and drag however this could not be navigated. It was after this when Sir Maxim and Felix du Temple managed to create steam powered gliders. From all these misadventures not really leading to economic profits, the Wright Brothers were eventually able to sell the idea of a 'flying machine' also known as the aeroplane to the US army. The safety net of the military probably made this invention possible.
3) Institutions
The environment in the period was not as institutionally as strong as today. Sir George Cayley's designs were rejected by the House of Commons with 'great laughter'. VC companies were not the norm in the period. The VC industry was established 1970 and thus high risk inventions were difficult to finance.
4 Finance
£200 million was given to railways in 1845. This would've crowded out priate sector investment and made a very bleak economic environment for any angel funding for the concept of an aerial vehicle. This would be exacerbated by 1837 financial crisis whereby there was a long recovery period. Although the patent system was created in 1790, inventors were rewarded ex post and thus this didn't mitigate risk. Again, the US army would've reduced these issues when the Wright brothers began creation in 1903.
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| The Flying Machine |
1) Demand
A problem here was that there were substitutes. There were steamships, steam trains and hot air balloons for long distance travel. Horses sufficed for short term travel. Thus demand was satiated. It was not until the build up to WW1 where the benefits of air travel could be identified. It's demand then began.
2) Supply
The knowledge of physics was not advanced back in 1840 in comparison to how it developed in the twentieth century. Hughes was the first navigator to accepting heavy engines being a contradictory concept. This can be seen as a prerequisite for future inventions. Then, Sir George Cayley created the concept of lift and drag however this could not be navigated. It was after this when Sir Maxim and Felix du Temple managed to create steam powered gliders. From all these misadventures not really leading to economic profits, the Wright Brothers were eventually able to sell the idea of a 'flying machine' also known as the aeroplane to the US army. The safety net of the military probably made this invention possible.
3) Institutions
The environment in the period was not as institutionally as strong as today. Sir George Cayley's designs were rejected by the House of Commons with 'great laughter'. VC companies were not the norm in the period. The VC industry was established 1970 and thus high risk inventions were difficult to finance.
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| Westminster Bridge showing Parliament in 1900 |
4 Finance
£200 million was given to railways in 1845. This would've crowded out priate sector investment and made a very bleak economic environment for any angel funding for the concept of an aerial vehicle. This would be exacerbated by 1837 financial crisis whereby there was a long recovery period. Although the patent system was created in 1790, inventors were rewarded ex post and thus this didn't mitigate risk. Again, the US army would've reduced these issues when the Wright brothers began creation in 1903.
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| The Wright Brothers |
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