Originally Posted by
cheltzel
I wasn't saying auto production is analogous to aircraft production. But that in both areas there is constant change, often dictated by economics.
Just commenting on VWTim's doom an gloom comment. My point is that we all deal with change dictated by economics and that we all move on (and in most cases do not look back). Doom and gloom has nothing to do with it. As much as I like flying on VLA's (and I do), things change.
True, but not always the case. Design elements that were used in the past may be used again in the future. The Northrop YB-49 was a prototype bomber with a unique flying wing design. It never entered production, but the same flying wing design turned up decades later when Northrop re-used the idea for their B-2 bomber.
Likewise, the blade-shaped tail cone of the Boeing 777 was derived in part from the same type of "beaver" tail cone from the older MD-80. So for the aviation industry, some manufacturers do look back from time to time.