Events
Aerospace Pioneer Richard Whitcomb '43 to Address WPI
| Who: | Richard Whitcomb has a long and distinguished career in the aerospace industry, specifically in the area of high-speed aircraft design. In the 1950s he was the head of the Langley Research Center in Virginia, where his discovery of the area rule and the supercritical wing became a legend in the aerospace community. The application of the area rule had immediate consequences on the Convair YF-102, a delta-winged jet fighter that had not performed well at transonic speeds. The plane was lengthened and given the now famous "Coke-bottle" shape, which enabled it to slip past the sound barrier. The area rule and many other accomplishments have earned Whitcomb numerous honors, including the Collier trophy, aviation's highest award. |
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| What: | Whitcomb will speak about his career and the importance of government research laboratories. |
| When: | Friday, June 6, 9:00 a.m. |
| Where: | Campus Center Odeum |
Last modified: Wednesday, 04-Jun-2003 13:42:04 EDT
