He was also a tireless promoter of the lifting body concept for aircraft ( as opposed to spacecraft, as in US research ), although to date no blended wing body aircraft has entered service.
12.
The lifting-body concept, which was conceived in 1957 by Dr . Alfred J . Eggers Jr ., an engineer at the Ames Aeronautical Laboratory in California, calls for a vehicle to gain aerodynamic lift from its body contours rather than from wings.
13.
Nissan Motor Co ., the No . 2 automaker, is advertising a similar " zone body concept, " after beating Toyota to the punch in 1994 by making driver-side air bags standard equipment throughout its lineup, as well as passenger-side bags in its medium and large cars.
