2-860-705 - Heritage Space/Heritage Images

Richard Whitcomb with Area Rule Wind Tunnel Model, USA, April 20, 1955. Aviation pioneer Richard Whitcomb worked at the Langley Research Center in Virginia throughout his exceptionally prolific life. His first major breakthrough was the development of the "area rule," which dramatically reduced drag, particularly at high speeds. He won the Collier Trophy on December 18, 1954, in recognition of this breakthrough. He is shown here in the Langley 8-Ft Transonic Wind Tunnel with an Area Ruled Aircraft test model. Whitcomb later went on to develop the supercritical airfoil and winglets.