--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is apparent to me that the…" description: "\"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] pr..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d5/thomas-a-edison-866_aeroplanes_it-is-apparent-to-me-that-the-possibilit_1009237.jpg" --- # It is apparent to me that the possibilities of the… ![“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/i/2d5/thomas-a-edison-866_aeroplanes_it-is-apparent-to-me-that-the-possibilit_1009237.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d5/thomas-a-edison-866_aeroplanes_it-is-apparent-to-me-that-the-possibilit_1009237.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2d5/thomas-a-edison-866_aeroplanes_it-is-apparent-to-me-that-the-possibilit_1009237.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.” [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Early optimism about airplanes proved limited; new directions are needed as initial solutions become exhausted. **In simple terms:** Airplane ideas ran out, look elsewhere. Key Takeaway Seek innovative alternatives when old solutions fail. Themes innovation technology adaptation exploration Mood forward-looking critical Type strategic visionary When to use this quote - R&D - strategic planning - industry pivot - education curricula Key Concepts systems thinking creative problem solving future studies Questions to Reflect On - What new technologies can replace or complement aviation? - How do we know when a solution is truly exhausted? A Different Perspective Some may claim airplanes still hold untapped potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aeroplane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeroplane-486417/) [Aeroplane Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeroplane-years-2181268/) [Aeroplanes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeroplanes/) [Apparent Possibilities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apparent-possibilities-2181267/) [Aviation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aviation/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Elsewhere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elsewhere/) [Exhausted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhausted/) [Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying/) [Flying machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/flying-machines/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [Machines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines/) [Plane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/plane/) [Possibilities Aeroplane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibilities-aeroplane-2181265/) [Possibility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/possibility/) [Predictions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predictions/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Solution Flying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solution-flying-2181266/) [Solutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/solutions/) [Three](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three/) [Three years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/three-years/) [Turns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/turns/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) [Years ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-ago/) ## Related quotes > [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/) > [The aeroplane has unveiled for us the true face of the earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/the-aeroplane-has-unveiled-for-us-the-true-face-of-the-earth/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [The aeroplane is tragically unsuited for ocean service.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugo-eckener/the-aeroplane-is-tragically-unsuited-for-ocean-service/) [Hugo Eckener](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugo-eckener/) > [The aeroplane will never fly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/1st-viscount-haldane-richard-haldane/the-aeroplane-will-never-fly/) [1st Viscount Haldane Richard Haldane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/1st-viscount-haldane-richard-haldane/) > [Everybody pays lip service to the safety of the aeroplane, but nobody is prepared to pay for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nevil-shute/everybody-pays-lip-service-to-the-safety-of-the-aeroplane-but-nobody/) [Nevil Shute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nevil-shute/) > [The aeroplane is an invention of the devil and will never play any part in such a serious business as the defence of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-hughes/the-aeroplane-is-an-invention-of-the-devil-and-will-never-play-any/) [Sam Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-hughes/) > [You don't think much of the individual, because you don't think you've hit him and you hope that he will bail out or something;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-malam-brothers/you-don-t-think-much-of-the-individual-because-you-don-t-think-you-ve/) [Peter Malam Brothers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-malam-brothers/) > [There wont be any miracle, if you want to fly in the sky you will have to invent an aeroplane.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/there-wont-be-any-miracle-if-you-want-to-fly-in-the-sky-you-will-have/) [Senoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senoraroy/) > [As the aeroplane is the most mobile weapon we possess, it is destined to become the dominant offensive arm of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-f-c-fuller/as-the-aeroplane-is-the-most-mobile-weapon-we-possess-it-is-destined/) [J. F. C. Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-f-c-fuller/) > [“off wireless, from the Home screen tap the Menu button, select Settings, and enable Aeroplane Mode. Any periodical downloads or other pending updates”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amazon/off-wireless-from-the-home-screen-tap-the-menu-button-select-settings/) [Amazon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amazon/) > [The engine is the heart of an aeroplane, but the pilot is its soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-engine-is-the-heart-of-an-aeroplane-but-the-pilot-is-its-soul/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm not sure if I could bear to go on an aeroplane again. It's not my concern for the welfare of the planet. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-hodgkinson/i-m-not-sure-if-i-could-bear-to-go-on-an-aeroplane-again-it-s-not-my/) [Tom Hodgkinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-hodgkinson/) > [I have seen things few of my countrymen have. The first time I went on an aeroplane I couldn't work out how the lavatories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-gebrselassie/i-have-seen-things-few-of-my-countrymen-have-the-first-time-i-went-on/) [Haile Gebrselassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-gebrselassie/) > [The life of an aviator seemed to me ideal. It involved skill. It brought adventure. It made use of the latest developments of science.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/the-life-of-an-aviator-seemed-to-me-ideal-it-involved-skill-it/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [After two wars, I have been in danger too often to bother very much about being killed, and when it comes, I would prefer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nevil-shute/after-two-wars-i-have-been-in-danger-too-often-to-bother-very-much/) [Nevil Shute](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nevil-shute/) ## More by Thomas A. 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Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Even though I am nearly deaf, I seem to be gifted with a kind of inner hearing which enables me to detect sounds and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/even-though-i-am-nearly-deaf-i-seem-to-be-gifted-with-a-kind-of-inner/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Being busy does not always mean real work. The object of all work is production or accomplishment and to either of these ends there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/being-busy-does-not-always-mean-real-work-the-object-of-all-work-is/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The very first thing an executive must have is a fine memory. Of course it does not follow that a man with a fine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-very-first-thing-an-executive-must-have-is-a-fine-memory-of/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Personally, I enjoy working about 18 hours a day. Besides the short catnaps I take each day, I average about four to five hours…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/personally-i-enjoy-working-about-18-hours-a-day-besides-the-short/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [The brain can be developed just the same as the muscles can be developed, if on will only take the pains to train the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/the-brain-can-be-developed-just-the-same-as-the-muscles-can-be/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [“People who will not turn a shovel full of dirt on the project nor contribute a pound of material, will collect more money from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/people-who-will-not-turn-a-shovel-full-of-dirt-on-the-project-nor/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [When I have fully decided that a result is worth getting I go ahead of it and make trial after trial until it comes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/when-i-have-fully-decided-that-a-result-is-worth-getting-i-go-ahead/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [I remember that I was never able to get along at school. I was at the foot of the class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/i-remember-that-i-was-never-able-to-get-along-at-school-i-was-at-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Invention is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/invention-is-10-inspiration-and-90-perspiration/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [There seems to be no limit to which some men will go to avoid the labor of thinking. Thinking is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/there-seems-to-be-no-limit-to-which-some-men-will-go-to-avoid-the/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Somewhere between the ages of eleven and fifteen, the average child begins to suffer from an atrophy, the paralysis of curiosity and the suspension…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/somewhere-between-the-ages-of-eleven-and-fifteen-the-average-child/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) > [Not only will atomic power be released, but someday we will harness the rise and fall of the tides and imprison the rays of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-edison/not-only-will-atomic-power-be-released-but-someday-we-will-harness/) [Thomas A. Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) [Explore all 345 Thomas A. Edison quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-edison/) ## More Aeroplanes quotes > [You know the best thing about aeroplanes? Apart from the peanuts in little silver bags, I mean. It's looking out of the windows at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/you-know-the-best-thing-about-aeroplanes-apart-from-the-peanuts-in/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) > [I think there is something exhilarating in flying amongst clouds, and always get a feeling of wanting to pit my aeroplane against them, charge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rumney-samson/i-think-there-is-something-exhilarating-in-flying-amongst-clouds-and/) [Charles Rumney Samson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rumney-samson/) > [If you want to propose marriage to your girlfriend and you live in England and she is in Sicily, do the decent thing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/werner-herzog/if-you-want-to-propose-marriage-to-your-girlfriend-and-you-live-in/) [Werner Herzog](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/werner-herzog/) > [Before I went to the Mess I made the excuse I wanted to get something out of my aeroplane, and climbed into the cockpit;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-rumney-samson/before-i-went-to-the-mess-i-made-the-excuse-i-wanted-to-get-something/) [Charles Rumney Samson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-rumney-samson/) > [“You have something against women flying aeroplanes? 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That…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buchan/you-may-hear-people-say-that-submarines-have-done-away-with-the/) [John Buchan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buchan/) > [As the journalists of the time phased it, this was the epoch of the Leap into the Air. The new atomic aeroplane became indeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-g-wells/as-the-journalists-of-the-time-phased-it-this-was-the-epoch-of-the/) [H. G. Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-g-wells/) > [The life of an aviator seemed to me ideal. It involved skill. It brought adventure. It made use of the latest developments of science.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/the-life-of-an-aviator-seemed-to-me-ideal-it-involved-skill-it/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [The aeroplane. . . is not capable of unlimited magnification. It is not likely that it will ever carry more than five or seven…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/waldemar-kaempffert/the-aeroplane-is-not-capable-of-unlimited-magnification-it-is-not/) [Waldemar Kaempffert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/waldemar-kaempffert/) [Browse all 78 Aeroplanes quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aeroplanes/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas A. 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