4 ms·
One of the things that this highlights is how seemingly trivial design decisions are motivated by very deep concerns. The rear-wheel steering, specifically, is
by andrewla 2y ago
One of the things that this highlights is how seemingly trivial design decisions are motivated by very deep concerns. The rear-wheel steering, specifically, is noted as being very problematic in terms of making the car able to maneuver.
It is not obvious to me that this is the case, just as it was not obvious to Buckminster Fuller, and it shows how much trial and error went into the design of the modern automobile. Even simple things oft taken for granted represent a huge amount of attempts to get things right and to work through the implications of alternate designs.
- Isamu 2y agoAgreed, I think Fuller liked being an idea man, and wasn’t interested in the engineering iteration that is necessary to bring something truly new to market. Maybe most people aren’t interested in that kind of work? It’s a long slog of working through the problems, and it can seem like a series of failures before you get close to a good product.
- Swizec 2y ago> Maybe most people aren’t interested in that kind of work? It’s a long slog of working through the problems, My SO always says she could never be an engineer because she doesn’t like failure enough.
- perrygeo 2y agoWhich is exactly why Bucky's ideas are as widely adopted as they are today - which is basically zero. He had an amazing ability to identify future problems and design prototype solutions, but that's a very small percentage of the work it takes to bring something to reality and make an impact. I honestly think Bucky was one of the most brilliant thinkers of the 20th century but his legacy will mainly be his thoughts (and designs and writings) alone. Even the best ideas fade into irrelevance unless acted upon. "Idea people" should take note.