[alfa] Dynos, NAC (was: 100 years of powered flight

["John Hertzman" <johnhertzman@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Biba saith: 
How many engine dynos do you think existed in 1903? I'd guess, zip to none. So every magazine, newspaper, etc. could pretty much quote any figure they wanted and who could say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, otherwise?
 
The Prony Brake (which was the source of the brake part of the term brake horsepower, as opposed to nominal, fiscal, taxable, RAC, and other similar formula horsepowers) was in use by 1821, and water brake dynamometers were developed about fifty years later. There have undoubtedly been (and will continue to be) many fictional or estimated or uninformed horsepower ratings published, but methodical researchers could always do better than guessing.
 
Also (quibble alert) the phrase 100 years of powered flight is a potentially deceptive shorthand for 100 years of controlled heavier-than-air powered flight. Getting up is one thing; getting down, intact, is quite another. There had been many powered flights before the Wrights, but they had their eyes on a different ball; the engine was useful, but not an important part of their problems. Their series of gliders were steps to advance the design to the point where it would be worth bothering with fitting an engine.
 
Different question; after years of relatively trouble-free posting, and after no changes that I am aware of, I am getting squares substituted for some punctuations. Anyone who can point me in the direction of a cure will have earned my undying gratitude.
 
John H.
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