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Business Movers

Concorde: Sonic Boom and Bust | The Long Runway | 1

Sep 12, 2024
In the 1950s, Britain, eager to reclaim its status as a superpower, dreams of creating the world's first supersonic passenger jet amidst the fallout from the Suez Crisis. An engineer advocates for innovative designs to revitalize the struggling aeronautics sector, facing skepticism from his superiors. The collaboration with France unfolds, blending ambitions and challenges as they tackle competition and skepticism from the U.S. Their shared pursuit of groundbreaking aviation technology sparks debates and negotiations that redefine the future of air travel.
36:42

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Mauryan Morgan's vision for a supersonic passenger jet emerged from Britain's desire to reclaim its global aerospace prestige post-Suez Crisis.
  • The project illustrated the complexities of international collaboration, highlighting financial challenges and design conflicts between British and American interests.

Deep dives

The Birth of Supersonic Passenger Aviation

In the 1950s, Mauryan Morgan proposed the ambitious concept of creating the world's first supersonic passenger jet, driven by the need to restore Britain's reputation in the aviation industry after the de Havilland Comet disasters. His belief in the feasibility of utilizing military technology to create a luxury airline capable of flying at Mach 2 was met with skepticism from his superiors, who highlighted the risks and financial challenges involved. However, Morgan’s enthusiasm and detailed sketches managed to secure the support of key stakeholders at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, leading to nascent plans for a groundbreaking aircraft. This proposal marked the beginning of a complex journey involving significant investment and collaboration between the government and various aviation firms in Britain.

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