Systems and Innovation

How Odontotermes obesus mounds use daily temperature shifts for passive air circulation.

An exploration of the Tupolev Tu-104, a Soviet jet airliner that was essentially a bomber with a new coat of paint.

A critical analysis of how defense procurement decisions reveal deeper theories of state value, sovereignty, and economic welfare through the lens of two contrasting fighter jet programs.

A three-part investigation into the de Havilland Comet 1, the world's first jet airliner, and the scientific detective work that uncovered the hidden physics of pressurized flight.

A photo gallery of the Comet disaster.

An investigation into the flawed testing protocols that masked the Comet’s vulnerability and how a single prototype’s survival doomed the production fleet.

A technical deep dive into the 1954 water tank experiments and how the squarish windows of the Comet turned air pressure into a structural saw.

An analysis of the three catastrophic break-ups in Calcutta, Elba, and Naples, and the institutional tendency to blame the weather when the machine is failing.

The final phase of the design journey, exploring digital tools for realization and the ethical responsibilities that ensure products benefit society while maintaining safety and sustainability.