The term “black box” of an airplane does not refer to the color of the device. The black box, which actually consists of two different devices—the Flight Data Recorder (FDR) and the Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR)—is usually bright orange. This bright color makes it easier to find the black box after a plane crash.

The name “black box” likely originates from its historical naming and the fact that it plays a mysterious role in analyzing flight data after an accident. The distinctive color, often bright orange with reflective stripes, is designed to help rescuers locate the device quickly, especially under challenging conditions.

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