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instarx · 12-20-2008, 06:56 PM

If aerodynamics has been fully understood since 1800 why all the discussion of dimples, air tabs, ziggy tape, etc in ecomodder? For decades aircraft designers "knew" that there was nothing better than a teardrop shape for a fuselage, but then in the 1980's it was discovered that constricting the fuselage in the wing area was a much more efficient shape. Even the effect of dimples on golf balls wasn't discovered until 1850ish. Winglets on the end of wings to improve economy are a recent discovery. The danger of wingtip vorteces from landing aircraft wan't fully realized until the 70's or 80's. So it seems kind of silly to claim that aerodynamics has been fully understood since 1800.

Why all the resistance to a few new novel ideas being applied to aero in cars. Doesn't every little bit help? Maybe everyone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?

12-20-2008, 06:56 PM	#8 (permalink)
instarx EcoModding Dilatant Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: NC Posts: 262 Volvo - '00 Volvo V70 XC AWD SE 90 day: 27.7 mpg (US) Thanks: 4 Thanked 27 Times in 17 Posts	If aerodynamics has been fully understood since 1800 why all the discussion of dimples, air tabs, ziggy tape, etc in ecomodder? For decades aircraft designers "knew" that there was nothing better than a teardrop shape for a fuselage, but then in the 1980's it was discovered that constricting the fuselage in the wing area was a much more efficient shape. Even the effect of dimples on golf balls wasn't discovered until 1850ish. Winglets on the end of wings to improve economy are a recent discovery. The danger of wingtip vorteces from landing aircraft wan't fully realized until the 70's or 80's. So it seems kind of silly to claim that aerodynamics has been fully understood since 1800. Why all the resistance to a few new novel ideas being applied to aero in cars. Doesn't every little bit help? Maybe everyone got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning? Last edited by instarx; 12-20-2008 at 08:26 PM..