Mentor Blogs

Forty-three years ago, on 20 July 1969, the United States Apollo 11 became the first manned mission to the moon. Were you aware, however, that it the first space vehicle to reach the vicinity of the moon was not manned at all? Intrigued? This geek hopes so. Fun fact: Unmanned spacecraft reached the vicinity of the moon a decade before the first manned mission landed on the lunar surface. The Soviet … Read More

Moon, Milaero, Mentor, Apollo, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, Mil-Aero, Aerospace, Electric, Geek, electrical, Hardware, Luna, Computer, Luna 1, COTS, Embedded Systems, Electronic, Engineer, nasa, spacecraft, unmanned, Sally Ride, Soviet Union

Forty-three years ago this month, astronauts made history. The Apollo 11 mission, a milestone in human history, continues to be celebrated worldwide decades later. The first words spoken on the moon by Neil Armstrong, the first to step onto the lunar surface, remain among the most famous and inspirational in the world: “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” Nearly 500 million … Read More

Neil Armstrong, nasa, Mentor.com, Apollo 11, Mil-Aero, Milaero, Moon, Aerospace, COTS, Geek, Hardware, Electric, Mentor, Buzz Aldrin, Mentor Graphics, Cold War, Electronic, electrical, Engineer, Soviet Union, Technology

A popular children’s toy has been named the first domestic robot, the first robotic toy, and a threat to national security in the U.S. Can you guess which toy? It was the cute, lovable, and interactive Furby! The Furby was produced by Tiger Electronics from 1998 to 2001, and again by Hasbro between 2005 and 2007. In fact, it has just been announced that the Furby will again line store shelves; it will … Read More

Furby, Engineer, Geek, Tiger Electronics, COTS, Mentor.com, Mil-Aero, Milaero, Computer, NSA, Hardware, Electronic, Hasbro, Embedded Systems, Mentor, Electric, Mentor Graphics, electrical

Unmanned drones are likely coming to an air space near you. The eventual and unavoidable integration of myriad unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), both civil and defense, in the same airspace as commercial airliners and military aircraft is a hotly debated topic. Civilian and military communities are actively voicing a wealth of concerns—such as over safety, privacy, and security—about the prospect. Government … Read More

Mentor, Geek, Mentor Graphics, President Obama, COTS, UAV, unmanned, Aerospace, Warfighters, Mentor.com, Embedded Systems, Mil-Aero, FAA, Milaero, Drone, Military

Unmanned vehicles, especially the aerial variety, as the subject of much attention in the military & aerospace industry; public opinion of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) appears to be split, as concerns over safety, security, and privacy grow. The UAV’s history is nonetheless intriguing. In 1915, famous scientist and visionary Nikola Tesla first described a fleet of unmanned aerial combat vehicles. … Read More

Milaero, Mil-Aero, Lawrence Sperry, cruise missile, Mentor, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, Aerospace, Electric, Flying Bomb, Geek, electrical, Hardware, Hewitt-Sperry Automatic Airplane, Design Automation, Elmer Sperry, Electronic, Engineer, Military, Peter Hewitt

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) continue to grow in use and popularity; yet, little attention is paid to UAV history, which contains some valuable, if not shocking (pun intended), insights. On November 8, 1898, Nikola Tesla was granted U.S. Patent Number 613809 for what was likely the first remote control and unmanned vehicle ever envisioned. The patent, entitled “Method of and Apparatus for Controlling … Read More

teleautomaton, remote-controlled robot, Milaero, Military, mind control, Nikola Tesla, Aerospace, electrical, Mentor, Mentor Graphics, Electronic, Mentor.com, Design Automation, Mil-Aero, Electric, Geek, Embedded Systems, Hardware, UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

The military and aerospace (mil/aero) market is currently a hotbed of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) activity. UAV platforms, technologies, challenges, and even mishaps are making news headlines and drawing a great deal of attention of late. Whereas the UAV is likely the hottest topic in mil/aero today, a much smaller industry segment know well the UAV’s rich and interesting history. The geek wants … Read More

Military, Milaero, Mentor, Aerospace, alternating current, Mentor Graphics, Mentor.com, Mil-Aero, AC, Electronic, Engineer, Design Automation, Geek, Hardware, DC, Electric, Direct Current, electrical, Nikola Tesla, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, Thomas Edison, UAV

Airbus and The Boeing Company might appear to have little in common, but they certainly share a fascinating, and even intertwined, history. Both aviation firms are pioneers, having contributed numerous innovations in the field throughout the years. As technology advancements, new aircraft models, and litigations continue in the years that follow, so too does the competition between the two airframe … Read More

Mentor, Geek, Mentor Graphics, Airbus, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Design Automation, Mil-Aero, Engineer, Boeing, Milaero

“The delays are not caused by bungling or production glitches,” EADS CEO Louis Gallois is quoted as saying at the 2011 International Paris-Le Bourget Air Show (http://www.paris-air-show.com/). “The A350 is the best-managed program at Airbus by far and the program is under control. This is not about delays but about improvements in the program.” Airbus executives decided to delay by one year the new … Read More

Mentor, Design Automation, Mentor Graphics, A350-1000, Aerospace, 700-300ER, Mentor.com, Boeing, Milaero, Airbus, Technology

Airbus and The Boeing Company have been the subjects of much criticism when it comes to production delays. While one company works to rationalize a delay in entering new aircraft into service, the rival often uses the other’s delay to its own advantage; in both cases, the public is often entertained by the sometimes creative “spins” on an unfortunate happenstance. In mid-2011, Airbus executives reluctantly … Read More

Mentor, Hardware, Mentor Graphics, Airbus, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Mil-Aero, Geek, Boeing, Milaero, Design Automation, Technology

The Boeing Company was enjoying its newfound military aviation success, but never abandoned its pursuit of the growing international and domestic airmail delivery market. In 1923, the company released the Boeing Model 40, which would go down in history as the first Boeing aircraft to carry passengers. Soon after, The Boeing Company produced the aircraft’s cousin, the Model 40A. This new mail aircraft … Read More

Mentor, Geek, Mentor Graphics, Model 80, BAT, Model 80A, William H. Boeing, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Boeing Air Transport, Mil-Aero, Milaero, Bertha Boeing, Military, Boeing

The Boeing Company, perhaps contrary to popular belief, did not quickly or easily skyrocket to top of the aviation market; in fact, the company suffered several significant setbacks that would have caused many to throw up their hands and close their doors. Founder William Boeing would not be dissuaded or deterred, however. In 1923, The Boeing Company started to turn around and began its transformation … Read More

Mentor, Geek, Mentor Graphics, William H. Boeing, Warfighters, Model 15, Boeing, P-12, U.S. Army Air Corps, Aerospace, U.S. Navy, Mentor.com, Engineer, Mil-Aero, F4B, Milaero, Curtiss Aeroplane and Motor Co., Military

The Boeing Company, William Boeing, and Pilot Eddie Hibbard all solidified their place in history in 1919, delivering mail internationally between Canada and the U.S.—first while flying a Boeing C-700 and later a Boeing B-1. The historic Boeing B-1 aircraft was partially constructed of wood laminate veneer, plywood, and spruce. When aviation geeks think of wood planes, Howard Hughes no doubt comes … Read More

Mentor Graphics, Mentor, Mentor.com, BB-L6, William H. Boeing, Wood Plane, Boeing, Aerospace, Mil-Aero, Geek, Milaero, Hardware, Military, Mount Rainer, Eddie Hibbard

The Boeing Company was struggling after World War I, but Founder William Boeing and his management team pressed on, encouraging and funding the proactive research and development of many different commercial biplane designs. As it turns out, none of the new biplane designs ever made it into production. Not to be dissuaded by this unfortunate fact, Boeing continued to innovate and make history. On 3 … Read More

Mentor, Geek, Mentor Graphics, U.S. Navy, B-1, Warfighters, William H. Boeing, Aerospace, Mentor.com, Eddie Hibbard, Mil-Aero, Engineer, Milaero, Boeing, Military, C-700

World War I ended in 1918 and brought with it a huge surplus of aircraft. This surplus caused the newly formed Boeing Company to experience some growing pains as the extra military aircraft were sold into the commercial aircraft market. Making things worse, the company’s commercial sales of the Model C biplane hit a slump at the same time. This challenging era did not bode well for the 337 people that … Read More

Mil-Aero, Mentor.com, Milaero, Boeing, Curtiss Aeroplane Company, Aerospace, Mentor, Military, Model C, Mentor Graphics, Geek, Red Barn, HS-2L, William H. Boeing