Article January 14, 1961 Issue

Breaking the Sense Barrier

ELEANOR OWERS SMITH

"Infinite opportunities are within the present reach of the spiritually incisive thinker"

During the early years in which rapid advances were being made in the potential speed of aircraft, we began to hear about the sonic or sound barrier. This barrier is not an actual visible obstruction, but is an increase in drag as the speed of an aircraft approaches the speed of sound. The penetration of this barrier is a series of stresses applied to the aircraft. When planes were first accelerated to a velocity greater than sound, approximately seven hundred and forty miles an hour, they encountered unusually difficult flying conditions because of turbulence and other atmospheric conditions. These had a shuddering, shattering effect on the planes which was ultimately overcome through changes in plane design. However, each break through this so-called barrier was a victory and an aid to successive advances in aviation.

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