Push The Envelope
In reference to comment left the previous post to this I am going to attempt the origin and meaning of "Push The Envelope".
It originally comes from mathematics, more specifically from aeroplane design.
In mathematics, an envelope is the enclosing boundary of a set or family of curves that is touched by every curve in the system. This usage is known from the latter part of the nineteenth century. It’s also used in electrical engineering for the curve that you get when you connect the successive peaks of a wave. This envelope curve encloses or envelops all the component curves.
In aeronautics, the envelope is the outer boundary of all the curves that describe the performance of the aircraft under various conditions of engine thrust, speed, altitude, atmospheric conditions, and the like. It is generally taken to be the known limits for the safe performance of the craft.
Test pilots have to test, or indeed "push", these limits to establish exactly what the plane is capable of doing. Test pilots called this pushing the edge of the envelope in the 50's and 60's, but this was soon shortened because it doesn't sound as cool as Pushing the Envelope.
The term was popularised by a book called "The Right Stuff" (later made into a move I believe) written by Tom Wolfe in 1979. It was about test pilots and the early space program (of which the Bell X-1 from the banner was a part). It became widely used in general language in the mid to late 80's.
It originally comes from mathematics, more specifically from aeroplane design.
In mathematics, an envelope is the enclosing boundary of a set or family of curves that is touched by every curve in the system. This usage is known from the latter part of the nineteenth century. It’s also used in electrical engineering for the curve that you get when you connect the successive peaks of a wave. This envelope curve encloses or envelops all the component curves.
In aeronautics, the envelope is the outer boundary of all the curves that describe the performance of the aircraft under various conditions of engine thrust, speed, altitude, atmospheric conditions, and the like. It is generally taken to be the known limits for the safe performance of the craft.
Test pilots have to test, or indeed "push", these limits to establish exactly what the plane is capable of doing. Test pilots called this pushing the edge of the envelope in the 50's and 60's, but this was soon shortened because it doesn't sound as cool as Pushing the Envelope.
The term was popularised by a book called "The Right Stuff" (later made into a move I believe) written by Tom Wolfe in 1979. It was about test pilots and the early space program (of which the Bell X-1 from the banner was a part). It became widely used in general language in the mid to late 80's.
posted by Ian at 3:41 p.m.
3 Comments:
So that son of a bitch in your banner is the Bell X1.... right right right right.
There is a lyric in a song by the band 'Tool' which also features your title
'Push the envelope, watch it bend'
Damn that Maynard James Keenan! First he steals the name of my band, then my woman and now the title of my blog.
It's on now.
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