PRESSURIZED CABINS in aircraft
Flying at high altitude puts occupants of an aircraft at risk of hypoxia
(poor oxygen levels in the blood), altitude sickness, decompression sickness and
barotrauma (cause by pressure differences). Despite these risks, bombers at the
start of WWII were only equipped with oxygen masks, which restricted movement
and were prone to failure.
Until the B-29 Superfortress was introduced in 1944, only experimental
aircraft had been produced with pressurized cabins. For this plane, the
Americans created the first cabin pressure system, with the nose and cockpit
sections linked to the aft via a long tunnel, all pressurised. However, the bomb
bays remained unpressurised. Even so, this advancement meant the crew could move
around in comparative comfort.
After the war, the benefits of pressurised cabins were rolled out to
passenger planes, allowing us all to fly at high altitudes in relative
comfort.
SOURCE: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/general/1286401/top-10-technical-innovations-of-world-war-2
(poor oxygen levels in the blood), altitude sickness, decompression sickness and
barotrauma (cause by pressure differences). Despite these risks, bombers at the
start of WWII were only equipped with oxygen masks, which restricted movement
and were prone to failure.
Until the B-29 Superfortress was introduced in 1944, only experimental
aircraft had been produced with pressurized cabins. For this plane, the
Americans created the first cabin pressure system, with the nose and cockpit
sections linked to the aft via a long tunnel, all pressurised. However, the bomb
bays remained unpressurised. Even so, this advancement meant the crew could move
around in comparative comfort.
After the war, the benefits of pressurised cabins were rolled out to
passenger planes, allowing us all to fly at high altitudes in relative
comfort.
SOURCE: http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/general/1286401/top-10-technical-innovations-of-world-war-2