--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My objective is and has been for years to…" description: "\"My objective is and has been for years to make the lightest and most compact flying machine that would carry me at 25 or 30 miles per hour for 10 minut..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/lawrence-hargrave-31692_ability_my-objective-is-and-has-been-for-years-t_666183.jpg" --- # My objective is and has been for years to make the… ![“My objective is and has been for years to make the lightest and most compact flying machine that would carry me at 25 or 30 miles per hour for 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour. Current events show this is not at all an ambitious project. Want of an elementary knowledge of oil machines baulks me…” quote by Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/lawrence-hargrave-31692_ability_my-objective-is-and-has-been-for-years-t_666183.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/lawrence-hargrave-31692_ability_my-objective-is-and-has-been-for-years-t_666183.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e44/lawrence-hargrave-31692_ability_my-objective-is-and-has-been-for-years-t_666183.jpg) > “My objective is and has been for years to make the lightest and most compact flying machine that would carry me at 25 or 30 miles per hour for 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour. Current events show this is not at all an ambitious project. Want of an elementary knowledge of oil machines baulks me and causes much misdirected effort. I doubt my ability to acquire that knowledge, and feel like a fireman trying to hew out a donkey pump...” [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He aims to create a lightweight, compact aircraft for short, low‑speed flights, but lacks essential mechanical knowledge, causing frustration. **In simple terms:** He wants a small aircraft but lacks know‑how. Key Takeaway Learn basic aerodynamics and engineering. Themes innovation determination engineering Mood determined frustrated Type advice reflective When to use this quote - DIY aircraft building - engineering courses - prototype testing - collaborative design Key Concepts aerodynamics lightweight structures propulsion project management Questions to Reflect On - What skills must you acquire first? - Can you find a mentor to guide you? A Different Perspective Technical gaps may stall progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Acquire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acquire/) [Adventure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adventure/) [Ambitious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambitious/) [Causes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/causes/) [Compact](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compact/) [Compact Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compact-flying-5299295/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Current events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/current-events/) [Currents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/currents/) [Donkey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/donkey/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Effort Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort-doubt-4183927/) [Events](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/events/) [Feels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feels/) [Fireman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fireman/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Flying Machine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying-machine-486415/) [Flying machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying-machines/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Hours](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hours/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Make Lightest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-lightest-4570260/) [Miles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/miles/) [Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/minutes/) [Objectives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/objectives/) [Oil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oil/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Projects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/projects/) [Pumps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pumps/) [Quarters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quarters/) [Shows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shows/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [To the possible enquiry as to the probable character of a successful flying machine, the writer would answer that in his judgment two types…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octave-chanute/to-the-possible-enquiry-as-to-the-probable-character-of-a-successful/) [Octave Chanute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octave-chanute/) > [Is it not demonstrated that a true flying machine, self-raising, self-sustaining, self-propelling, is physically impossible?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-leconte/is-it-not-demonstrated-that-a-true-flying-machine-self-raising-self/) [Joseph LeConte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-leconte/) > [These airplanes we have today are no more than a perfection of a toy made of paper children use to play with. My opinion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-coanda/these-airplanes-we-have-today-are-no-more-than-a-perfection-of-a-toy/) [Henri Coanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-coanda/) > [There is no basis for the ardent hopes and positive statements made as to the safe and successful use of the dirigible balloon or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-melville/there-is-no-basis-for-the-ardent-hopes-and-positive-statements-made/) [George W. Melville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-melville/) > [It may be that the invention of the aeroplane flying-machine will be deemed to have been of less material value to the world than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waldemar-kaempffert/it-may-be-that-the-invention-of-the-aeroplane-flying-machine-will-be/) [Waldemar Kaempffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waldemar-kaempffert/) > [ One: There is a low limit of weight \[of about\] 50 pounds beyond which it is impossible for an animal to fly. Two: The… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-leconte/one-there-is-a-low-limit-of-weight-of-about-50-pounds-beyond-which-it/) [Joseph LeConte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-leconte/) > [I have had the feeling that a properly constructed flying-machine should be capable of being flown as a kite; and conversely, that a properly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-graham-bell/i-have-had-the-feeling-that-a-properly-constructed-flying-machine/) [Alexander Graham Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-graham-bell/) > [I wanted to make the lightest shoe possible, but still be able to perform at the same time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmelo-anthony/i-wanted-to-make-the-lightest-shoe-possible-but-still-be-able-to/) [Carmelo Anthony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmelo-anthony/) > [“What does Absolute (certain, definite) Happiness mean? You don’t have to even make an effort even to doubt it. The happiness that arises without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/what-does-absolute-certain-definite-happiness-mean-you-don-t-have-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [“Workers must root out the idea that by keeping the results of their labors to themselves a fortune will be assured to them. Patent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/workers-must-root-out-the-idea-that-by-keeping-the-results-of-their/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [ The people of Sydney who can speak of my work \[on flying-machine models\] without a smile are very scarce; it is doubtless the same… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-people-of-sydney-who-can-speak-of-my-work-on-flying-machine/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [In my opinion, we should search for a completely different flying machine, based on other flying principles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-coanda/in-my-opinion-we-should-search-for-a-completely-different-flying/) [Henri Coanda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-coanda/) > [No flying machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orville-wright/no-flying-machine-will-ever-fly-from-new-york-to-paris/) [Orville Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orville-wright/) > [Let us hope that the advent of a successful flying machine, now only dimly foreseen and nevertheless thought to be possible, will bring nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octave-chanute/let-us-hope-that-the-advent-of-a-successful-flying-machine-now-only/) [Octave Chanute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octave-chanute/) > [It fell like a tear from my eye, flying machine so up high. Well... there goes the neighborhood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-boyd/it-fell-like-a-tear-from-my-eye-flying-machine-so-up-high-well-there/) [Brandon Boyd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-boyd/) ## More by Lawrence Hargrave > [The plane is simply abstracting the power stored in the wave by a distant gale, and using it to counteract gravity. And if the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-plane-is-simply-abstracting-the-power-stored-in-the-wave-by-a/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [Used as kites, these rigid stable aeroplanes are superior to the very best cellular kites I can make; they are lighter, pull harder per…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/used-as-kites-these-rigid-stable-aeroplanes-are-superior-to-the-very/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [“Workers must root out the idea that by keeping the results of their labors to themselves a fortune will be assured to them. Patent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/workers-must-root-out-the-idea-that-by-keeping-the-results-of-their/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [And from a poise at this station the plane may swoop down, at great disadvantage if close to the back of the wave, at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/and-from-a-poise-at-this-station-the-plane-may-swoop-down-at-great/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [To remove this obstacle I repeat or refer to such knowledge as has come under my notice, my own previously expressed views, and also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/to-remove-this-obstacle-i-repeat-or-refer-to-such-knowledge-as-has/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [ The people of Sydney who can speak of my work \[on flying-machine models\] without a smile are very scarce; it is doubtless the same… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-people-of-sydney-who-can-speak-of-my-work-on-flying-machine/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [Bent metal is worse than bent wood and weight for weight is more flexible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/bent-metal-is-worse-than-bent-wood-and-weight-for-weight-is-more/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [Common sense steps in here and says: Separate the parts you want to be mobile from the parts you want to be inert. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/common-sense-steps-in-here-and-says-separate-the-parts-you-want-to-be/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [If you direct your attention to the position of a bird with regard to the wave surface, it will speedily be noticed to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/if-you-direct-your-attention-to-the-position-of-a-bird-with-regard-to/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [It becomes a giant's task to compute the result when the effect of cross seas, wind at all angles and ever varying force, arched…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/it-becomes-a-giant-s-task-to-compute-the-result-when-the-effect-of/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [The closer the bird is to the surface of the water, the firmer and more inelastic is the uplift of the rising air. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-closer-the-bird-is-to-the-surface-of-the-water-the-firmer-and/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [The wings are moved several times by hand to charge the crank chamber with mixture, which flows on through the external pipe and inlet…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-wings-are-moved-several-times-by-hand-to-charge-the-crank-chamber/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [The most ordinary conditions for observing sailing birds are then the wind and sea are both aft.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-most-ordinary-conditions-for-observing-sailing-birds-are-then-the/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [The people of Sydney who can speak of my work without a smile are very scarce.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/the-people-of-sydney-who-can-speak-of-my-work-without-a-smile-are/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) > [As to the effect of the wave on the air, we will suppose the water to be quite flat and the air motionless, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-hargrave/as-to-the-effect-of-the-wave-on-the-air-we-will-suppose-the-water-to/) [Lawrence Hargrave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) [Explore all 16 Lawrence Hargrave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-hargrave/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "My objective is and has been for years to make the lightest and most compact flying machine that would carry me at 25 or 30 miles per hour for 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour. 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