I’m embarking on what may be the most intellectually stimulating research project I’ve ever undertaken: a new book that explores the fascinating divergence between European, American, and Brazilian approaches to aviation technology. The initial insight came from studying supersonic transport development—Europe succeeded with Concorde while America’s programs were cancelled despite technical success, and Brazil’s Embraer took yet another path entirely, building a global powerhouse by focusing on regional jets. What started as curiosity about why aviation developed so differently across continents has evolved into a comprehensive examination of how culture, politics, and history shape our technological choices in the skies.
One of the most compelling discoveries has been tracing “systemic safety” approaches in aviation back to 19th-century Continental Europe, where systematic, preventative frameworks emerged that still influence modern European aviation through EASA standards and Airbus consortium models. American approaches emphasize market solutions and competitive development. At the same time, Brazil’s Embraer represents a fascinating hybrid—originating as a government-sponsored entity in the 1970s but evolving into a nimble, market-focused competitor that combines elements of both European industrial policy and American entrepreneurial agility. Every case study reveals cultural DNA embedded in technological choices, from NASA’s technically successful but commercially abandoned High-Speed Research Program to Europe’s patient consortium-based development philosophy.
The detective work energizes me most—tracing aviation ideas across centuries, connecting aircraft design choices to deeper cultural patterns, and discovering how 19th-century Prussian technical standards influenced modern airworthiness certification. I’m spending months in aviation archives, interviewing aerospace engineers, visiting manufacturers across Europe and the Americas, and exploring the organizational cultures of institutions ranging from NASA and Boeing to startups like JetZero and Boom Supersonic. Understanding these different approaches isn’t merely academic curiosity; it’s essential for navigating challenges such as sustainable aviation, electric aircraft, and the revival of supersonic flight through entirely new players.
This isn’t about declaring winners—each approach has produced remarkable innovations from the Wright Brothers to Concorde, from the 747 to Embraer’s revolutionary regional jets, and now to startups like JetZero’s radical blended wing designs and Boom’s quest to bring back supersonic passenger flight. Instead, it’s about understanding how culture shapes aviation technology in ways often invisible until we step back and see the bigger picture. The story of aviation’s divergent development turns out to be about democracy, capitalism, geography, and human values—all expressed through our concrete choices about how we design and deploy our flying machines, from legacy manufacturers to Silicon Valley upstarts. It’s an adventure in ideas, and I can’t wait to share what I discover.
Discoverers and Discoveries 