{"id":37746,"date":"2022-06-30T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-30T05:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/?p=37746"},"modified":"2026-03-26T06:26:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T10:26:10","slug":"what-ancient-greek-shipbuilders-can-teach-jet-engine-manufacturers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.sw.siemens.com\/simcenter\/what-ancient-greek-shipbuilders-can-teach-jet-engine-manufacturers\/","title":{"rendered":"What ancient Greek shipbuilders can teach jet engine manufacturers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An ancient paradox<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The ship of Theseus is an ancient question and paradox of what an object really is and what happens when switching out parts. When a boat is out at sea, it goes through harsh environments and weather. During the lifetime of the boat, you might switch out planks, masts, and sails. If all parts are replaced, is it still the same ship? Or, if you take out the parts from the original ship, and use these parts to build another ship, which one is the ship of Theseus?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A millennium prior to Theseus\u2019 philosophical question, ships from the Mediterranean might have made it all the way up to Scandinavia. This is 2000 years prior to any Vikings setting sails. The boats being depicted in rock carvings found in Sweden at this time were not made by the inhabitants. However, these simple lines could have sparked their imagination and inspired them to start their own marine adventures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Swedish<\/a>
Swedish Rock Carvings 1500 BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Painting<\/a>
Painting of Minoan ship 1500 BC<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Click to enlarge images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

An interesting piece of history is that the Vikings made their way from Scandinavia over the Atlantic to Iceland, Greenland and at least to the Hudson River. They called the region Wineland, (the region today known as Newfoundland), which was lush, green and full of grapevines. Climate since then changed and became much colder after the 14th<\/sup> century, and no Viking settlements survived to the point of Columbus\u2019 arrival much further south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"Viking<\/a>
Viking ship in Oslo<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Regal<\/a>
Regal ship Wasa in Stockholm<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
Click to enlarge image<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A new era<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

What does ancient shipbuilding have to do with aerospace and jet engines? In the past, it used to take many weeks to travel across oceans. However, today, with an airplane it only takes a few hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to advancing technology, ships and navigation has been successfully developing over a few millennia. This has caused the ocean to “shrink” as additionally, new materials and engine technologies have managed to bring about new types of ships from Europe and America.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The
The Ocean Shrinks<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

With digital technology, the internet and a wish to be less reliant on fossil fuels, a new era has begun in the history of humankind. Telegraphs, telephone, internet, and lightning-fast communication over the oceans. Jet engines have enabled faster, more efficient aircraft propulsion. Still, there is an increasing need for people to travel, meet and transport goods over the oceans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A historical perspective is important but won\u2019t lead to innovations. Many things are hard to predict. The future being particularly difficult. But let\u2019s have a quick look into the near future, the challenges that come with it and the tools that will help you build whatever propels you into a new era. Where today meets tomorrow.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Rethinking jet engine design<\/h2>\n\n\n\n