Was Engineering Less Expensive a Century Ago? 8

[flash3780]

I was thinking to myself the other day: the Wright brothers were able to fund the design and build of their experimental aircraft with the revenue from a small bicycle shop. They built prototypes, a wind tunnel, and even hired a master mechanic to build a new type of engine for them.

I'm not sure that one could accomplish the same feat today. Perhaps this is because bicycles have become both less expensive and less popular (in relative terms). But, it seems as though the cost of building stuff is higher than it was back then.

Thomas Edison was able to finance his first inventions while working as a telegraph operator for Western Union.

Samual Morse invented the telegraph while working as an artist.

It seems like this it has become more difficult to invent things - or, rather, to finance invention. Perhaps someone has some historical perspective here? Has the cost of invention gone up significantly?

 

[drawoh]

brandonbw,

More importantly, the new technology has to work better than the old technology. All the old stuff had to do was work.

What was the efficiency of a 19th century steam engine, 2.5%?

JHG

 

[oldfieldguy]

Of course it was easier. They didn't have as many numbers back then.

old field guy