Fun side fact: Straight razors are much the same way. Take a look at the sheer amount of material on an 1850's Wade & Butcher[0] vs. a more modern example[1]. I'd love to see some other examples of this.
Basically, back in the age of the slide ruler, engineers "overcompensated" in durability. This is why older planes are much heavier (so more inefficient and costly to run) but also last forever.
My dad did some consulting for the London Underground on the Power side a few years back and he commented that the stuff built in the 30's was more reliable than the 70's era.
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Fun side fact: Straight razors are much the same way. Take a look at the sheer amount of material on an 1850's Wade & Butcher[0] vs. a more modern example[1]. I'd love to see some other examples of this.
[0] https://www.flickr.com/photos/104820964@N07/11037188944/
[1] https://www.flickr.com/photos/mriney/5683505146
Planes come to mind.
Basically, back in the age of the slide ruler, engineers "overcompensated" in durability. This is why older planes are much heavier (so more inefficient and costly to run) but also last forever.
PS: Not to crap on the structural engineering of more modern planes, don't get me wrong! Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ai2HmvAXcU0
My dad did some consulting for the London Underground on the Power side a few years back and he commented that the stuff built in the 30's was more reliable than the 70's era.