Aerial Giant Arm

Author: Huaxia Publishing House
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2000-01-01
Features: Without the B-17 Flying Fortress, the Allies might have lost the victory in World War II. The B-29 Superfortress brought the atomic bomb to Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. From the Boeing 707, 702, 747, to the spacecraft that sent astronauts to the moon, all of these changed the way people lived. All of this is linked to the name Edward. Edward of Boeing, the true giant of the sky.
Author's Autobiography: On January 12, 1950, Thomas Colison, an author who had published many exquisite books about Boeing aircraft, wrote a letter to Edward Wells: "We all have a strong desire for you to write a major work titled 'Weapons and People' one day. For this, please do persist in keeping a diary." Wells replied: "Regarding your suggestion, I can only apologize and say that I have not yet started keeping a diary. Perhaps it is because there is as much to forget as there is to remember. Or perhaps it is because I have not worked hard enough in my job, making it unnecessary to keep a diary. When I go to Washington next time, I will certainly talk to you about this. I think you would not say such a thing without a good reason."
After Edward passed away in 1986, his four boxes of personal belongings were entrusted to my care. These contained the original records of his nearly 70 years of life: sketches he drew at the age of five; letters from his middle school days; photographs of the aircraft and train models he built; his oil paintings, watercolor paintings, and portraits; design documents for every type of Boeing aircraft; work records and schedules; patent documents; telegrams; newspaper and magazine articles; award notices and credentials; and drafts of his speeches. I was overwhelmed by the historical ocean displayed by these precious artifacts. It then dawned on me—this was Edward Wells' diary, meticulously preserved over the years, waiting to be edited. So, I tried to undertake this task, presenting Edward Wells—a genius in aviation and a disciplined gentleman—in his own words and through the descriptions of others, showcasing his journey from childhood to adulthood.
Mary Wells
Edward Wells made more contributions to the success of Boeing than anyone else. He was an outstanding engineer, not only in his lifelong work on specific and complex designs but also as an expert in large systems, whether for commercial aircraft, combat systems, or space projects. For himself, as well as for people in the aerospace industry, customers of aerospace products, and other industry professionals who supply us with equipment and materials, he was highly regarded. Within Boeing, this outstanding figure had a pivotal influence on all aspects of the business, regardless of whether he was directly responsible for them. All Boeing employees admired Edward, and all engineers and technicians respected him. The astonishing attitude of Boeing's technical workers toward him stemmed entirely from the personal charm of thinkers like him and recognition of his design genius. The latter's presence in Edward was real, justified, and well-founded, though others may not yet fully understand it.
Mary Wells's book concisely tells readers how Edward became the person he is today.
Excerpt: From "Later Life"
In 1961, during the Seattle World's Fair of the 21st Century, a symposium titled "Cosmos and Christian" was held. In a speech titled "The Problem of Self-Criticism," Edward discussed some of the conflicts between science and religious faith. From the following words, it is clear that Edward's father had a great influence on him:
Mr. Beran (the previous speaker) has given us all a sense that we may have never had before—a sense of gratitude for living in an age of scientific and material progress. At the same time, he strongly reminded us that as we blindly move in this direction, we also risk completely losing our way. Indeed, we live in a world of remarkable material progress, yet we sometimes lack the supernatural awareness that Mr. Beran spoke of—a consciousness that is particularly crucial for balance in a rapidly changing world.
For some, scientific and material progress has accelerated our journey into the unknown; for many others, this purely material progress will inevitably make us realize that we cannot be complacent—we not only need material advancement but also spiritual progress...
Indeed, many of the daily events in our time have brought disappointment to our optimistic hearts. Yet, the positive aspects of these events have also encouraged us. These phenomena fill me with hope that the 20th century will move forward in prosperity. Failing to see this may lead us to passively wait for the 21st century to arrive without fully utilizing our talents. The great progress in scientific exploration during the 20th century, along with the mysteries of the natural world before us, will ultimately push us to develop those relatively underdeveloped areas. We cannot help but ask: Why, with such advanced material civilization, has the awakening of the spirit been so delayed? Why is it not in our generation but in the next that we will see the dawn of a new horizon in the 20th century? What obstacles can we effectively overcome?
Let me raise a few self-critical questions to illustrate:
As Christian believers, when we declare "There is no God before you" with our mouths, are we not also shaping a material god in secret? When scientists pursue scientific progress or personal achievements, do they overemphasize the factors of science, nature, and human development in our world while excluding supernatural or transcendent factors? Do religious believers with deep spiritual and theological understanding create an image of God that is difficult for others to understand and accept? Do we insist on defining supernatural phenomena solely with limited experience and demand others to accept them wholesale? Is this method not as dangerous as subjective arbitrariness in science?
When faced with moral or ethical dilemmas, are we at ease or uneasy when others compromise on principles? Have we forgotten Christ's advice—"You must treat others as you would treat yourself"? Are we arrogant when we should be humble? Do we attack when we should show compassion? Unfortunately, the answers are often "yes."
I firmly believe that the moment of renewal largely depends on our willingness to confront these self-critical questions. If we are willing to reflect seriously on the supernatural and the spiritual, they will indeed exist infinitely—they cannot be destroyed by our actions or thoughts. But a spiritual rebirth truly requires human thought and action. The wise and compassionate God has left this question to humanity, allowing us to figure out how to build a paradise on earth.
The supernatural may be distant, but it may suddenly inspire our consciousness, enrich our lives, and change the course of history.