Definition of the word black box

The term "black box" originally emerged in the aviation industry in the 1950s to describe a recording device installed in airplanes for safety and investigation purposes. The device, which captured crucial flight data and arrived nearly indestructible, was called a "black box" due to its distinctive color, which was obtained from the use of tough, heat-resistant materials like fire-retardant black polymer. However, the data inside the "black box" was critical to investigating incidents and accidents, and the information contained within could help investigators determine the cause of incidents and enhance safety procedures. Today, "black box" technology is also utilized in various other fields, like marine, rail, and automotive industries, to gather essential data and aid in critical investigative efforts.