The next decade will see the greatest flow of innovation since the ‘20’s.
Aerospace and Automobiles are cross fertilising each others innovations - radial ply tyres on aircraft, fly-by-wire techniques for active suspension and derivatives on automobiles.
Engineering periodicals such as those published by the SAE, stimulate the imagination which leads to innovation.
In addition to the electronic invasion there will be intense innovation actively reducing internal friction and power loss in piston engines. Turbo charger manufacturers have borrowed aerospace technology, automobile turbines will benefit from these developments in terms of economy and throttle response.
Weight is the enemy, much of the innovative effort of the next decade must be directed at lighter designs, saving material and fuel.
The successful and effective innovator needs some guide lines and rules to work to, the previous generations of great engineers and innovators is a source of these rules and guide lines.