The Innovation of Retractable Airplane Landing Gear: Northrop Anomaly

1. Variation-selection in the innovation of the retractable airplane landing gear: the Northrop ‘anomaly’ Walter G. Vincenti 경영학과 오퍼레이션전공석사2학기 서동엽 / 오다 아야카

2. Quick Summary • In the early 1930s, airplane landing gear went through the process of technical change. • However, Northrop introduced a modified landing gear, which looks anomalous in the context of its time. • It proves a typical of the variation-selection learning process normal in engineering.

3. Revolution in Airplane Landing Gear (1930s) • Retractable landing gear entered prominently into airplane design in the first half of the 1930s.

4. Northrop ‘Alpha’ - Initial version • Inaugurated the series in 1930. • Featured stressed-skin all-metal construction. • Channel-shaped aluminum wing • FIXED landing gear “A retractile gear is being designed to be incorporated later.” (1929) -Jack Northrop

5. New Northrop ‘Alpha’ “Pants” type gear • 왜 Northrop은 retractable landing gear를 채택하지 않았나? • Northrop의 선택이 옳았다고 생각하는가?

6. Northrop • Following the XFT-1, Northrop began apparently to see the trade-offs differently. • As speeds continued to climb, the need to reduce drag became dominant. • Gradually went over to the retractable gear. Northrop Grumman ‘B-2 Spirit ‘ • 결국 retractable landing gear를 선택하지 않았나? • 아직도 선택이 옳다고 생각하는가?

7. ‘Unforesigtedness’ • Northrop’s trouser gear served as a variant. • What is the take-away from the blind person’s story?

8. What is Variation-Selection Model? Design 2 Design 3 Design 1 Design 4 Dominant Design Design 7 Design 5 Design 6

9. Theory vs Practice • Theory has a limited role in guiding practice. • Practice serves indispensably to appraise (or to reshape) theory. Science과 기술의 변화 Heuristics? Dosi (1982) defined “technological paradigm” as “model” and a “pattern” of solution of selected technological problems, based on selected principles derived from natural sciences and on selected material technologies.

10. Scientific realism vsRelativism Realism or Relativism for Technical change theory? Uninterpreted Reality External World Scientist’s worldview Research Paradigm Scientific Evaluation and testing Mental Interpretation of Reality Genuine knowledge Public Construction Of Reality Relativistic view of Reality Scientific Realism’s view of Reality

11. Critique / Further Research Suggestions The major difference between scientific realism and relativistic view is in the nature of scientific reality. I personally think the author’s view is more close to ‘relativistic view’ - the concept that points of view have no absolute truth or reality, which I totally agree with him. Because the way how technology is adopted and change is more relative, subjective according to differences in perception and consideration. Because this article was more like a case study, it is difficult to criticize any shortcomings. I think it would be interesting if we look at other cases where we can see the variation-selection learning process. Also it may be interesting to look at how the environment changed after the technical change in the landing gear occurred, like the study done by Tushman and Anderson (1986).

12. Thank you ^^