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I had never considered that the Northrop YB-49 [1] might have ultimately worked if computer simulation had been available at the time.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northrop_YB-49

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Another key requirement would have been computer-aided flight control systems. The only reason the B-2 can remain stable during maneuvers is thanks to its fly-by-wire system that translates the pilot's directions into control surface adjustments that achieve the desired results, and continually adjust those controls faster than the human pilot can react.

The curious may find this wikipedia article a good jumping point down this rabbit hole:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relaxed_stability

My favorite is the Grumman X-29: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grumman_X-29 (It worked and they built two, I think) but ultimately a dead-end.

Saw these fly over my high school back when I lived in Ohio (close to Wright Pat AFB)

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