Register - Log In


FunTrivia Homepage


  • New Questions

  • Unanswered


  • Post a Question

    • Goto Qn #




    Archives

    Why does a plane have a "black box"? Why not a blue box or a red box? And what is the purpose of a flight recorder?

    Question #37664. Asked by greg9570. (Aug 19 03 1:50 PM)


    mk2norwich

    		Contrary to popular belief, "black" boxes are not black at all, but orange (easier to locate in the aftermath of a crash).

    The purpose of a flight recorder is precisely that; to record what happens during a flight.
    When the recording from a black box is re-played, it can help to determine what caused the accident.

    Read more about how they work here:

    http://www.howstuffworks.com/black-box.htm

    Aug 19 03, 1:58 PM
    Gnomon

    		In engineering, a black box is something which data goes into or out of, but we don't know or care what happens inside.

    The black boxes in planes probably got their name from this, although they are orange to make them easy to find after a crash.

    http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/2640793.stm


    [Added reference link - McG]

    Aug 20 03, 2:19 AM
    thecrayonman

    		The "black box" on airplanes was invented by Dr. David Warren around 1954. It is first made with the a box being black but ALWAYS painted usually with the color "international orange".

    http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blblackbox.htm


    [Added reference link - McG]

    Oct 06 07, 6:20 AM

    Find something useful here? Please help us spread the word about FunTrivia. Recommend this page below!


    Sign up to see all responses!

    Create a Free ID instantly to see all recent responses, post your own follow-ups or questions, and access over 1,000,000 trivia questions!

    Choose a User Name:
    Your Email Address:
    Choose a Password:

    I agree by the terms outlined in FunTrivia's Conditions of Use




    Other Similar Questions & Answers


    Black Maria, Black Roger, Black Prince, Back Death and Black Sheep were cracker Canadian flyboys in WWI? Why were they known as the Black Flight?

    What is the flight number of the plane that crashed in the Florida Everglades because everyone on the flight deck was distracted by the landing gear light?

    A famous early aviator proposed during a commerical flight to an aviatrix he had just met on the plane. Shortly after their marriage, she broke one of his flight records. Who was the couple?

    Suggested Related FunTrivia Quizzes - 90,000 currently online

    1 Flight 666
    The film from Iron Maiden's "Somewhere Back in Time" World Tour is titled "Flight 666". This is a quiz about the film.
    		Iron Maiden Average
    10 Q
    juanchianglo
    May 17 09
    204 plays
    2 Black
    This is a quiz on a good first-person shooter for the PS2 and Xbox "Black".
    		Video Games A-C Tough
    10 Q
    theironknight
    Jun 24 07
    315 plays
    3 The As Have it
    The ayes have it. All these questions have to do with places that not only start with 'A' but also end with 'a'.
    		Alphabetical Places Average
    10 Q
    minch
    Aug 15 00
    6690 plays




    "Ask FunTrivia" is for entertainment purposes only, and answers offered are unverified and unchecked by FunTrivia. We cannot guarantee the accuracy or veracity of ANY statement posted. Feel free to post an updated response if you feel that an answer is inadequate or incorrect. Please thoroughly research items where accuracy is important to you using multiple reliable sources. By accessing our website, you agree to be bound by our terms of service.