[doorgunner69]

I swear that history will show that the first sketches of the design were made on a bar napkin.

I suspect Kelly Johnson had more that a few of those as well, and so what? Engineers think differently, and creative juices flow at unexpected times.

As I told my boss once, my breakthrough on a design came in the morning shower as I was soaping my ***s. It became a running joke in the engineering department how to break through a sticking point.

[oldplayer]

Doorgunner69,

No doubt Kelly Johnson did have a few of those. I was just making a joke about what the sketch of the “swing-wing F-4” looked like in the article. I doubt this was ever a serious option. (Interesting, the FB-111 [THX?]and the F-14 Tomcat were intended to share numerous design features and assemblies. In the end, the wing pivot was the only shared piece.)

I think history will confirm your suspicion about a number of successful designs, though. The P-51, especially in its first phases, and later when the Merlin was added, really was the outgrowth of informal musings. No doubt intoxicating spirits were at least in the vicinity LOL!.

Oldplayer

[JoeFromSidney]

As I told my boss once, my breakthrough on a design came in the morning shower as I was soaping my ***s.

I can understand. My best design ideas used to come while I was shaving. It's a mindless task, and gives your brain a chance to free-wheel.