After my last entry focussed on the incredible out-window barfing that happened on commercial planes in the 20s and early 30s, my thoughts turned to the comparatively less dramatic (but no less skilled) branded in-bag barfing that accompanied the age of the pressurised cabin. Other added bonuses included higher speeds and higher altitudes without sacrificing good people to hypoxia and enlarged hearts (you only want one of those if it's a metaphor for you being totally ace.)
The Boeing 307 Stratoliner was the world's first commercial plane with a pressurised cabin, in 1938. And the first pressurised commercial jet airliner (designed to pop up to 36,000 feet) was the British De Havilland Comet (1949).
Boasting large, square windows it looked dreamy. Until it crashed in 1954. Twice. From metal fatigue. But the best thing to come out of the true horror of that double disaster was a simple change in design. The corners of the De Havilland's fancy square frames we're to blame. Wonder why all jet planes have oval windows? As soon as the problem was uncovered, the only way was (quite literally) up, and the only shape was round.
Sometimes cutting corners totally works out...
Now for some gratuitous plane pictures from my pressurised friend Ryan Air. The journey was Stanstead to Barcelona. We had to wake at 5am to get this flight. 5am. That's time's equivalent to the highest altitude ever.
One in one out...
Pyranees.
Some doofus who thinks she's a 6-year-old boy.
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