Here Comes Supersonic Flight: The Rebirth of a Former White Elephant (New at Reason)

“Really unique in the history of technology is to have a capability and then lose it,” says Blake Scholl, founder and CEO of the aviation startup Boom Technology. “We’re going to see renewed progress in air travel. My long-term mission at Boom is to make that happen.”

When the Concorde made its commercial debut in 1976, it was an engineering marvel that represented the technological promise of the 20th century. But 27 years after its initial flight, the Concorde landed for the final time, ending the era of civilian supersonic travel.

So why did the airliner of the future become a museum artifact?

The Concorde was always a state-funded white elephant so when costs went up and ticket sales dropped, the French and British governments who were backing the venture decided to pull the plug and retire the aircraft.

Now 14 years after the Concorde was grounded, private companies are on the verge of bringing supersonic air travel back. And this time it’ll be built on sound economic principles.

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