Richard Travis Whitcomb was born in Evantson, Illinois on
21 February 1921. He graduated from high school in 1939 and
in 1943 received a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical
engineering, concentrating in aeronautics. Shortly
thereafter he began a 37 year career with the National
Advisory Committee for Aeronautics which later became the
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
During his illustrious career Whitcomb developed three highly
important aerodynamic design concepts concerning transonic,
supersonic and high subsonic flight. The "area rule," the
"supercritical wing" and "winglets" evolved from these concepts.
The application of the area rule in airplane design greatly
reduces drag at transonic and supersonic speeds. The supercritical
wing design provides for increased speed, maneuverability and
efficiency at high subsonic cruise speed. Winglets, the small
near-vertical airfoils attached at an airplane's wing tips, provide
an effective decrease in the vortex drag coefficient and result in
significant fuel savings during long range cruise flight.
Richard Whitcomb retired from NASA in 1980 and his life long
research and design efforts contributed significantly to the
advancement of aviation.
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