Where did the phrase pushing envelope originate?

The phrase "pushing the envelope" is believed to have originated in the aviation industry during the 1950s.

Here's the breakdown:

* Envelope: In aviation, an "envelope" refers to a graph that outlines the limits of an aircraft's performance, such as its speed, altitude, and weight.

* Pushing the Envelope: Pilots would strive to "push the envelope" by flying their aircraft closer to its performance limits, testing the boundaries of what was possible.

The phrase gained wider usage and became popular in the 1980s thanks to the film "Top Gun," which featured a scene where a pilot explains the concept to a rookie.

Today, "pushing the envelope" is used in a more general sense to describe the act of innovating, exceeding expectations, and venturing beyond existing boundaries, in any field, not just aviation.