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Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

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Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#21

Relevant (and terribly interesting) wiki page[1]. I was impressed it was already updated with this accident. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventors_killed_by_...

weird read : https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_unusual_deaths

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#22

Relevant (and terribly interesting) wiki page[1]. I was impressed it was already updated with this accident. [1] https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_inventors_killed_by_...

On a technicality: this wasn't an invention, this was just poor execution.

Same with the electric Tuk Tuk earlier, the line between re-implementation and invention is apparently blurring, personally I feel that the term 'invention' should be saved for things that were not done before.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#23

>The inventor taught himself the basics of aeronautical engineering using YouTube and over two years built a single-seater helicopter using a car engine and scrap metal. I am speaking without enough knowledge. But I have to wonder if this serves as a harsh criticism of Youtube. I do understand Youtube is a mixed bag of resources. More structured learning might have resulted in better understanding of material strengt…

Better not let the commoners learn too much. They might hurt themselves.

No, learn too little, they will hurt themselves.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better not let the commoners learn too much. They might hurt themselves.

I guess it's caused by not learning enough instead of learning too much?

"Knowing enough to be dangerous" is a well known phrase for a reason.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#25

I saw the video. The rear propeller disintegrated during operation, seemingly from material failure. Two of the blades shot out to the ground and the third went into the main rotor a short while after, unbalancing it and causing the blades to hit the fuselage and the helicopter to jump, twist and throw the pilot out. Very sad accident indeed. It makes one think that maybe the ”hero inventor” stereotype does not lend…

All those OSHA rules are "written in blood" as they say - and there are reasons for "stupid" rules like seatbelts and such - likely he would be alive had be been solidly strapped to the machine (thought of course he could have died other ways).

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better not let the commoners learn too much. They might hurt themselves.

I guess it's caused by not learning enough instead of learning too much?

Maybe either would have worked: learning less or learning more.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#28

I saw the video. The rear propeller disintegrated during operation, seemingly from material failure. Two of the blades shot out to the ground and the third went into the main rotor a short while after, unbalancing it and causing the blades to hit the fuselage and the helicopter to jump, twist and throw the pilot out. Very sad accident indeed. It makes one think that maybe the ”hero inventor” stereotype does not lend…

> It makes one think that maybe the ”hero inventor” stereotype does not lend itself well to our current level of technology

I'm sure if you look at the history of inventors there are many people who were killed along the way. The Wright brothers were heavily inspired by Otto Lilienthal, who was killed in an accident flying one of his gliders.

Of course this doesn't make this any less tragic, my prayers go out to this man's family and friends.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#29
post #10

I was watching the Stuff Made Here Youtube channel (amazing channel btw) and was getting tempted by Shane's (guy running said channel) shop tour ([1]). Surely I could get tool X and operate it safely? But yeah .. I'd likely get myself maimed or worse. YouTube makes this sort of stuff seem so accessible, this is a reminder of the obvious .. power tools and moving parts can kill. As software people, we sometimes don't…

> I thought high school shop class no longer exists. anecdata: I graduated high school in 2015 and had woodshop, auto shop, and metal shop classes. Also welding, and, for what it is worth, cosmetology. This was at a public school in Houston. We had wood and metal shop in middle school, as well. These classes are still offered at my school according to my relative who still works there.

Very common in rural areas too - I wonder if it's mainly being able to find someone to teach it.

Re: Indian inventor dies in homemade helicopter accident

#30

>The inventor taught himself the basics of aeronautical engineering using YouTube and over two years built a single-seater helicopter using a car engine and scrap metal. I am speaking without enough knowledge. But I have to wonder if this serves as a harsh criticism of Youtube. I do understand Youtube is a mixed bag of resources. More structured learning might have resulted in better understanding of material strengt…

This is pure Icarus. If YouTube enables this, more power to YouTube, IMO.
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