Prototyping allows you to visualize ideas through paper prototypes, physical prototypes, or demonstrations. Creating prototypes is valuable as it allows ideas to be tested and improved, preventing failure further down the line. When British industrialist Henry Kremer offered a prize for the first human-powered aircraft, the winner relied on flexibility in their prototype design rather than sticking to preconceived notions of flight. Rapid prototyping enables testing early ideas quickly through iterative changes, unlike a single prototype approach. The document encourages testing initial prototypes to get feedback and identify aspects to retain or improve.

1. RAMESH R
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF MECHNICAL ENGINEERING
PMC TECH HOSUR
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2. Making your ideas visual: Prototypes
Paper prototype Physical prototype Demonstration
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3. Why do you think it’s
valuable to create
prototypes?
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4. When we create something new,
failure is always an option
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5. 1959: British industrialist Henry Kremer
offers £50,000 to the first person to
build a human-powered aircraft
What is required
to solve this
challenge?
The Kremer Competition
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6. The challenge was
won by the most
flexible prototype.
The Gossamer Condor
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7. Why MacCready’s competitors did not succeed
Their designs relied on what they already knew about flight—
just like these people:
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8. This is what happens with…
Only one
prototype Rapid prototyping
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9. You have 25 minutes
to create a prototype that explains your idea
Paper prototype Physical prototype DemonstrationRAMESH R 9

10. Test your first prototype
You have five minutes to:
1. Show your prototype to another group for feedback.
2. Provide feedback on their prototype.
What’s one thing you should keep?
What’s one thing you should change?
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