Carefully examine the photo - did you notice something unusual?

The story of the first Jet Airliner de Havilland Comet has taught us valuable lessons.

Comet went into service in 1952, it featured 4 turbojet engines, pressurised cabin, backward swept wings, undercarriage and unusual large square windows. It was so futuristic, the core design of modern day jets remains unchanged.

Three comets aircraft crashed after suffering in-flight fuselage break-up within a year. Rigorous air crash investigation identified a core design flaw.

Square Windows - It featured sharp corners that caused high stress concentration resulting in crack initiation and propagation leading to total breakup of the air craft.

Unfortunately, Comet never recovered from these tragedies although it ushered in a new age of safe jet travel.

Two important design lessons:

1. Viewing windows are no longer square shaped with sharp corners. They are oval shaped (with rounded edges) to reduce stress concentration.

2. Crack arrestors are added to contain crack propagation.

Life lessons

1. Early innovators take risk and push boundaries but may not always reap benefits

2. Success is built on the foundation of failures

3. Success is a team sport although history will paint it as a single person game

4. Sharp edges will produce results in short term but concentrated and sustained stress over a long term will initiate cracks

5. Address any cracks however small immediately, if not it will propagate at pace until it crashes the entire system

Make the most of last few days of summer to reflect and disconnect from work.

1. Walk/Hike/Bike in the woods with your family, do not carry devices

2. Read, listen or write about stuff not related to day job

3. Break your routine and travel safely if you can

4. Sit under a tree, do nothing. Do not feel guilty for not being productive

It will rejuvenate and get you ready for your next sprint.

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