This year Honda will put a new business jet airplane into service in the U.S., pending FAA approval.  The aircraft is touted for the latest in airplane innovation, specifically the placement of the engines over the wings unlike conventional business jets with the engines near the tail.  What does this development have to do with libraries?  The connection is with books.  According to a story in the Wall Street Journal, in 1986 Honda sent engineer Michimasa Fujino to Mississippi State University to design an experimental aircraft.  While dong his research, he read a 1930’s book on aerodynamics, presumably found in a library.  Fujino said that the principles of aerodynamics detailed in the book became the inspiration for the design of the new Honda jet.  Reading engineering books, even some very old, can change minds and our technology.  Great news for books and libraries!