>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
The reason the 737 stood out is because it's descendents are still in use today while the 707 and DC8 are largely retired.
The Sud Aviation Caravelle first flew in 1955 and entered revenue service in 1959.
It was a small airliner with two engines in the rear. Although the Caravelle was retired in 2005, the twin rear engine layout was used by the very successful DC-9, MD-80 series, which is still flying, as are the similar Embraer ERJs. Twin rear mounted engines is also the design used by most private jets.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sud_Aviation_Caravelle