Chapter 1: The Power of Civilization

Despite being commonplace today, it serves as a testament to the enduring strength of human civilization.

"Life is that which can hold a purpose for 3,000 years and never yield. The individual fails, but life succeeds. The individual is foolish, but life holds in its blood and seed the wisdom of generations…"

— Will Durant, Fallen Leaves

I could sense the urgency in his voice as the electrical control for his cleaning unit malfunctioned. Without a similar part in stock, and with the manufacturer located across the country, we faced a dilemma. In a moment of decisiveness, I arranged for the part to be shipped overnight. The control traveled nearly three thousand miles from California to Pennsylvania within a day, costing about $100.

At first glance, this might seem trivial. However, when viewed from a broader perspective, it illustrates humanity’s incredible progress and resilience. It showcases the inherent strength of our species.

In Fallen Leaves, Will Durant reflects on the human experience over the ages. As a historian with unparalleled qualifications, he spent decades witnessing historical events firsthand. Not only did he document history, but he also engaged with it as an activist and observer.

Over a lifetime marked by shifting political views, Durant sought a balance between freedom and authority that could benefit all. He authored more than thirty works over seventy years, delving into history, philosophy, and social issues.

Durant emphasizes that humanity possesses a unique power—civilization itself, which grants a form of immortality. Individuals may perish, yet their ideas can endure, evolve, and be propelled forward by civilization.

Durant cites flight as a prime example of this power.

Section 1.1: The Legacy of Flight

While we often regard flight as a contemporary achievement, Durant traces a deeper connection between mankind and the skies. He references the ancient Greek myth of Icarus, which is frequently misunderstood.

The tale is not merely one of hubris. Icarus's father, Daedalus, is the true hero, crafting wings for himself and his son, and imparting wisdom about the balance required in flight and life. He warns Icarus to avoid extremes: flying too low or too high can lead to disaster.

The greater narrative reveals Daedalus escaping from his island prison. The wings function, symbolizing humanity's aspiration to conquer the sky by emulating birds. While Icarus is often the focus, it is Daedalus's ingenuity that truly matters.

This mythology, though fictional, encapsulates a profound truth: mankind has always sought to fly. The legacy of Daedalus and the knowledge he imparted continue through civilization.

Subsection 1.1.1: Da Vinci's Vision

"Thirty generations passed and Leonardo Da Vinci, spirit made flesh, scratched across his drawings…plans and calculations for a flying machine, and left in his notes a little phrase, once heard rings like a bell in the memory: 'there shall be wings.'"

— Will Durant, Fallen Leaves

Da Vinci is often remembered for his masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and The Last Supper, but his contributions extend far beyond art. Dr. Craig Wright discusses how Da Vinci melded his artistic talent with a thirst for knowledge about human anatomy, creating detailed sketches that are studied by modern medical professionals.

His curiosity also led him to explore engineering, resulting in designs for flying machines. Though his concepts were not practical, they epitomized humanity’s relentless pursuit of flight.

In his Codex On The Flight of Birds, Da Vinci dedicates extensive analysis to the mechanics of avian flight, complete with beautiful sketches. In a poignant conclusion, he expresses aspirations for a flying machine that would soar from Mount Cecero, destined for greatness.

While history doesn’t confirm whether his creation ever took flight, the spirit of innovation continues to thrive, demonstrating that ideas transcend mortality.

Chapter 2: The Wright Brothers and the Continuation of Innovation

The first video, "Making Humans a Multiplanetary Species," explores humanity's ambitions beyond Earth, reflecting on our drive to innovate and expand our horizons.

The second video, "Will Space Limit Human Performance Panel Discussion," examines the challenges and potential of human performance in space exploration.

While civilization experienced distractions, the dream of flight persisted. In the early 1900s, some envisioned air travel through balloons, while others, like the Wright Brothers—two high school dropouts—sought to make their mark.

As David McCullough notes in The Wright Brothers, their father valued learning over formal education. They were exposed to the greatest literary minds, likely including stories of Daedalus and Da Vinci.

Tinkering and innovation were second nature to them, beginning with a printing press and later a bicycle shop. Captivated by tales of daring aviators, they decided to create their own glider, drawing inspiration from the masters of flight—birds.

The Wright brothers observed how birds adjusted their wing angles to maneuver. They mechanized this technique, developing "wing-warping technology" for their glider.

After refining their designs, they pursued powered flight. In 1903, the Wright Flyer I took to the skies three times, a milestone echoing the three thousand years of human endeavor in pursuit of flight.