Larry Dighera wrote:

I would characterize today's aircraft, relative to the early aircraft,
as masterpieces of engineering efficiency.



Too many relative terms here.

What is meant by "early aircraft", those of the era of the Wright Bros?

What are "today's aircraft"? The ones built forty-some years ago, that
most of us are flying around in today?

Or are we referring to the ones coming out of the factories "today"?