Computers Quote by Lord Kelvin
“Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: 1905 Lecture on Aeronautics, Lord Kelvin
At his time, scientific knowledge suggested heavier‑than‑air flight impossible, yet later breakthroughs disproved it.
In simple terms: He thought flight impossible.
Key Takeaway
Question assumptions with evidence.
Themes
science
innovation
skepticism
Mood
skeptical
curious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- aeronautical engineering
- education
- policy making
Key Concepts
physics
history of technology
Questions to Reflect On
- What current "impossible" might be achieved soon?
- How do you handle contradictory evidence?
A Different Perspective
Technological progress often overturns prevailing beliefs.
![“One: There is a low limit of weight [of about] 50 pounds beyond which it is impossible for an animal to fly. Two: The animal machine is far more effective than any we can hope to make. Three: The weight of any machine constructed for flying, including fuel and engineer, cannot be less than three…” quote by Joseph LeConte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/296/joseph-leconte-73855_animal_one-there-is-a-low-limit-of-weight-of-ab_585346.jpg)
![“It is apparent to me that the possibilities of the aeroplane, which two or three years ago were thought to hold the solution to the [flying machine] problem, have been exhausted, and that we must turn elsewhere.” quote by Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2d5/thomas-a-edison-866_aeroplanes_it-is-apparent-to-me-that-the-possibilit_1009237.jpg)
