Abstract:

 

This talk will explore the stories of aerospace entrepreneurs across different eras, comparing their challenges and achievements to assess whether innovation was harder in the past or present. Early pioneers like the Wright Brothers (1900-1950) overcame immense technical and financial hurdles to achieve the first powered flight, while Igor Sikorsky revolutionized vertical flight with the first practical helicopter. From 1950-1980, figures like Burt Rutan advanced experimental aviation, and Werner von Braun led the development of rockets that enabled lunar exploration. Entrepreneurs from 1980-2000, such as Richard Branson, began commercializing aviation and space travel, laying the groundwork for private spaceflight. In the 2000s, innovators like Elon Musk (SpaceX), Tim Ellis (Relativity Space), and Robert Bigelow (Bigelow Aerospace) faced modern challenges, including fierce competition, high costs, and complex regulations. Despite differences in resources and technology, each era demanded resilience and creativity, sparking debate over whether earlier or modern entrepreneurs faced greater obstacles.

 

Zoom link: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/96988081378?pwd=PVyFJEcI4bhVtaggcG2wS4UxWggcaY.1#success