The term "aerodynamics" originates from two Greek words: "aero" means

"air" and "v" means "dynamics," so the field of study is concerned with

how the motion of air is altered by a solid object like an airplane wing. It is

related to the study of fluid dynamics and the related study of gas

dynamics. Gas dynamics refers to the study of the motion of all gases, not

just air, and is often used interchangeably with the term aerodynamics.

Basic concepts like aerodynamic drag were observed and recorded much

earlier, but the modern study of aerodynamics didn't begin until the

eighteenth century. Until Otto Lilienthal demonstrated heavier-than-air

flight in 1891, most aerodynamics research was focused on perfecting

lighter-than-air flight. [1] Through the use of aerodynamics in the form of

mathematical analysis, empirical approximations, wind tunnel

experimentation, and computer simulations, heavier-than-air flight and

other technologies have been developed on a sound theoretical foundation.

Most recent aerodynamics research has been computational in nature,

focusing on problems involving compressible flows, turbulent flows, and

boundary layers.