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Additional Context
Chair manufacturer Thonet pioneered bending wood, mass production, and composites. Then a strange wooden airplane takes to the skies and, against all expectations, does well. It takes on many roles and has over 40 versions; the Mosquito’s most enduring legacy, however, is in composites and the dream of the multi-role fighter. Another design direction was found in supremely specific aircraft. And the battle between these two sides has defined modern military aircraft design and development.
Later, the legendary Kelly Johnson would go on to develop the infamous Lockheed F-104 Starfighter. This plane was developed specifically to out-climb MiGs over Vietnam by putting a huge engine into something like a missile and an airplane. It was made to accelerate during the day, in fair weather, and c