Albert Einstein, perhaps the greatest mind of our time, once said: "Not everything that can be counted counts and not everything that counts can be counted."

Building a new aircraft can never be counted in dollar terms. The numbers may add up on an accountant's spreadsheet but most aspects of building a successful commercial aircraft program, and the subsequent flow-on, cannot be counted.

The most widely sold piston-engine commercial aircraft in history, the DC-3, was built on a commitment for 20, made over the phone in 1934, between two close friends, Donald Douglas and American Airlines CEO Cyrus R. Smith. The flow-on from this program - which revolutionized air travel - built a dynasty that would last for decades.

Some 30 years later, in 1952, legendary Boeing President William (Bill) Allen invested $16 million in the Dash 80. He had no orders, just a gut instinct that he could snare the lucrative US Air Force tanker business and steal a march on his competitors for a jet transport - if he had an aircraft flying.

Boeing not only snatched the lead but has dominated commercial aviation for more than four decades since.

Ten years on, Douglas, again on a gut feeling, launched that company's most successful jetliner, the DC-9, without an order, although there were some commitments in the wings.

Successful commercial aircraft programs are all about seizing the initiative with technical innovation that translates into promises of lower operating costs and greater creature comforts. Boeing did it again with the 747 launching the wide-body era and, in the early 1990s, with the incredibly successful 777 launched the "giant twin."

Like the DC-3, Vickers Viscount, 707, 747 and 777, the 787 promises to be a game-changer. As with its famous predecessors, the 787 incorporates a host of new technologies that combine and set it apart from its competitors. Its true value to the airline operators will not be realized until the ultimate judges - the passengers - step aboard. No salesman can put a true value on this aspect nor can a competing salesman discount it. It just can't be counted - at least, not in simple numbers.

As well as telling the story so far, Boeing 787 Dreamliner - flying redefined also details how "game-changing" aircraft have significantly altered the course of, and ultimately improved commercial aviation.

Technology's effect on aviation has been pervasive and the industry is littered with the wreckage of airlines and aircraft manufacturers that miscalculated or just did not fully understand what a pivotal role technology would play in driving down costs and improving the performance of aircraft.

This book looks in detail at how technology has been the main driver of the extraordinary development of commercial aviation.

The 787 brings together the phenomenal talents of Boeing and its merged companies, Douglas Aircraft Company and McDonnell Aircraft Company (which had previously merged in 1967) and North American Aviation, which had, also in 1967, become a component of North American Rockwell and Hughes Space & Communications, which was recently renamed Boeing Satellite Systems.

But more than that, the 787 melds the talents of a host of aerospace manufacturers, suppliers and software companies around the globe - all absolute leaders in their disciplines and each one helping to push the boundaries of discovery every day.

We have employed US measurements (and spelling) as they are the standard in aviation. Boeing changed the name of its 787 from 7E7 in January 2005, however, for the sake of simplicity, we have altered the name to 787 much earlier in its history.

We sincerely hope that you enjoy Boeing 787 Dreamliner - flying redefined and we welcome your feedback.

Geoffrey Thomas, Guy Norris, Mark Wagner and Christine Forbes Smith