Thirty years ago, when the Air Force needed a large cargo plane, it
put out a list of specifications that took up less than 8 pages.
Lockheed responded with a proposal 3/4 thick, which resulted in
a huge plane named the Hercules. In 1980, when the Air Force needed
a new cargo plane, it issued specifications that took up 2,750 pages.
Lockheeds proposal alone weighed 6,600 pounds. To deliver it, the
company used one of the old Hercules cargo planes.

– John Tierney, in Science 85