Introduction

In this lesson, you’ll learn how some of the wildest airplane designs—like the Libellula with wings in front, and the Coléoptère that launched like a rocket—were created to tackle the invisible force of drag. You’ll discover how engineers used science, creativity, and a bit of bold thinking to test out ideas that seemed impossible. From canard wings to annular wing jets, you’ll explore how these machines flew, failed, and still managed to change the future of aviation. It’s all about how strange shapes, smart science, and sky-high dreams helped us learn how to fly better—even when things didn’t go as planned!