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From: clarke@acme.ucf.edu (Thomas Clarke)
Subject: Re: pushing the envelope
Message-ID: <1993Apr6.162534.19494@cs.ucf.edu>
Sender: news@cs.ucf.edu (News system)
Organization: University of Central Florida
References: <1993Apr6.153816.14336@mksol.dseg.ti.com>
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Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1993 16:25:34 GMT
Lines: 18

> In <1993Apr3.233154.7045@Princeton.EDU> lije@cognito.Princeton.EDU (Elijah  
Millgram) writes:
> 
> 
> A friend of mine and I were wondering where the expression "pushing
> the envelope" comes from.  Anyone out there know?
> 
Everbody has been defining envelope.
Why was the world "envelope" chosen, rather than say "shell", 
or "boundary".  In analogy with the envelopes of airships perhaps?

Actually, "shell" might be good.  Push the shell too hard and
it (the aircraft?) breaks. 
--
Thomas Clarke
Institute for Simulation and Training, University of Central FL
12424 Research Parkway, Suite 300, Orlando, FL 32826
(407)658-5030, FAX: (407)658-5059, clarke@acme.ucf.edu
