Feature Story: Mayflower Captains, 400 Years Apart

Whether human, or human-designed Artificial Intelligence, each represents a response to an era's big challenge. His ship leaked and was nearing the end of its useful life. He had but a few crude instruments to suggest, without much certainty, where he might be. And, with only wind and his sails to propel the craft, he had no way to fight through the howling storms of the North Atlantic. The voyage, which should have taken two to three weeks, ultimately took more than two months.