>One example that was recently pointed out to me: the first 737 was closer in time to the wright brothers first flight than to today

Out of curiosity, why use the 737 as a benchmark? Especially since the first Jet plane, the Heinckel HE 178[0] (1939) was the first jet plane, the de Havilland Comet[1] (1952) was the first commercial jet airliner, and the Boeing 707[2] (1957) was the first Boeing jet airliner, Followed closely by the McDonnel Douglas DC-8[3].

All of which are (unlike the 737) closer in time to the Wright Brothers' 1903 flight than to the present. That said, as was mentioned, in just three-six years the 737 will also be closer in time to that 1903 flight than to that future date.

So why the focus on the 737 rather than the 707 or DC8? Not trying to dunk on you or the 737, just trying to figure out why the 737 would be more notable than other jet planes/commercial jet airliners.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinkel_He_178

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/De_Havilland_Comet

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boeing_707

[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_DC-8