Feather-based Jacobean Space Chariot

simonmsh writes "The article Cromwell's moonshot: how one Jacobean scientist tried to kick off the space race describes 17th century plans to build a space chariot out of springs, feathers and gunpowder. The design was based on the idea that gravity disappeared at an altitude of 20 miles, which was called into question by Hooke ^? and Boyle ^? 's work. It sounds like the plot of a Neal Stephenson book." Said book, and its sequels are phenomenal.

20 Miles Up

[deliciousmonster]

That's funny, I could have sworn gravity dissapeared within 3 inches of our receptionist's breasts...

Although I think getting within 20 miles of them is a longshot...

Remember what Archimedes said:

[Anonymous Coward]

Give me a big enough spring, and I can move Rubin Studdard into low earth orbit.

Hrmm

[acehole]

I wonder if macgyver could have done better...

Re:Remember what Archimedes said:

[Anonymous Coward]

Actually, it was "Give me a big enough spring, and I can move Earth into low Robin Studdard orbit."

More important news

[Anonymous Coward]

TIme Travel Possible:-

It came in the shape of a 17th-century clergyman who drew up plans for a spaceship powered by wings, springs and gunpowder, a leading science historian will reveal this week

I mean wow, just wow.

Someone should try it

[contagious_d]

"17th century plans to build a space chariot out of springs, feathers and gunpowder. The design was based on the idea that gravity disappeared at an altitude of 20 miles"

I wonder if the thing could have made it 20 miles up. If someone builds one, I will supply the bound and gagged - erm, I mean "Jacobean Spacesuited" test pilots.

Re:Hrmm

[Ledora]

I guess you don't watch SG-1, macgyver is alot better at space travel.

Re:20 Miles Up

[Theaetetus]

That's funny, I could have sworn gravity dissapeared within 3 inches of our receptionist's breasts...

In the pursuit of scientific inquiry, I think we need pictures...

it didn't work

[Anonymous Coward]

"Of course his approach did not work because he based it on the premise that the Earth's pull only went up 20 miles and if you crossed that 20 miles, you could float after that," no, i think the main reason it didn't work was because it was a clockwork flapping machine..

Re:Favorite Quote

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't mean to insult the poster, but I wonder what's so interesting about that post? Did the mods go "ooh, yes, infinite containers in our bodies, that's an interesting thought"...

I'm scared.

just 2 more miles and they'd have made it !

[RandomWordGenerator]

Although gravity doesn't disapear after 20 miles, you can acheive geostationary orbit at 22 miles [nus.edu.sg] - so they weren't too far off.

No, wait - I think I'm missing the obvious ... they were 22 miles off

a grave and gathering threat

[EugeneK]

It's obvious 17th century England is trying to use its stocks of springs, feathers and gunpowder to develop WMDs. I say we invade now. We don't want to wait until the smoking feathers becomes a mushroom cloud.

Re:Favorite Quote

[slashdot_punk]

You were a bit slow as a child... weren't you?

Re:Favorite Quote

[Anonymous Coward]

I think you can read it in this case as "+5, Mocks Idiotic Theist by Comparing him to a Child". It's not the first time "Interesting" has been used this way.

Re:Still no Christopher Reeve story?

[Chuck Bucket]

Yeah, but it's not like Stephen King died or anything...

CBA@#$

Re:Yet not the first

[Solder Fumes]

Ah...I knew *something* bothered me about John Carmack's X-Prize vehicle.

Too Bad they did not consider Space Travel Sooner

[lcsjk]

A few hundred years earlier, it would have been much easier. One only had to board a ship and sail to the edge of the earth. Since it was flat, they would have been able to sail to the edge and merely jump off into space. Unfortunately, space travelers at the time had no way to return, so it was very difficult to sell tickets to rich kings.

Re:Yet not the first

[Anonymous Coward]

but that's the way with pioneers

Don't you mean "fireworks"?

Re:Stupid people

[LiquidCoooled]

I, for one, welcome our timetravelling anonymous coward posting timelords.

Re:20 Miles Up

[Anonymous Coward]

I volunteer to be the spy satellite!

Re:Exhibit A

[Imidazole]

I think the correct answer is:

4) You're an ass.

The author is so cruel

[roman_mir]

Unfortunately, Wilkins never had the chance to test his theories, and what Professor Chapman terms the Jacobean Space Programme was grounded. - I don't think the author of this likes this Wilkins guy too much.

Re:Favorite Quote

[Feanturi]

Then I considered the volume of food we eat and just couldn't fathom what was happening to it.

When I was little, some grownup mentioned me eating like I had a hollow leg. Well that's what I wound up seriously believing for a brief period. :) But like you, I couldn't see how it would keep from filling up. Weird how one can be going to the bathroom on one's own for a couple years and still not get it, heh.. This also reminds me of a more recent bit of idiocy I read only a few years ago. Somebody was saying the reason you get the munchies from smoking pot is because it warms up your liver, which heats your stomach causing it to expand, and thus feel less full.

Re:Ancient Flying Machines in India

[Feanturi]

A slip in the translation is always possible. Maybe these 'manuals' are just player handbooks for a really early RPG. :)

Re:Favorite Quote

[AKAImBatman]

This ofcourse has nothing to do with space travel, however, to keep the thing on topic, I too am from England! So maybe theres a pattern emerging!! :-D

I say! Did I make some sort of comment that lead you to believe I was from Blighty? A thousand apologies my good sir, but I'm afraid I'm located on the other side of the pond! :-)

Or was your comment in reference to the Professor in the article?

Re:Ancient Flying Machines in India

[dfay]

A little like John Edward 'dictating' a new chapter of the Old Testament called "Moses had Laser Pistols"

Actually he did. But Pharoah shot first. Don't let the revisionists tell you otherwise.

Re:Ancient Flying Machines in India

[tonywong]

Actually, there has been a new text discovered and translated called the "VYMAANIDASHAASTRA AERONAUTICS NO FLY WATCHLIST".

Re:Ancient Flying Machines in India

[TeknoHog]

"..The complete work was taken down in 23 exercise books up to August 23, 1923. In 1923, Subbaraya Sastry also had a draftsman prepare some drawings.."

This sounds a little suspicious to me. A little like John Edward 'dictating' a new chapter of the Old Testament called "Moses had Laser Pistols"

With that many 23s in it, it's either highly suspicious, or it holds the very key to the secrets of the universe fnord...

Re:Gunpowder Boosters?

[kitzilla]

Ya figure? ;-)

Re:Remember what Archimedes said:

[Anonymous Coward]

No, thats what happens in Soviet Russia.

Hope

[Anonymous Coward]

Swing low, sweet space chariot.

His Greatest Invention

[Number 110]

Dr Wilkins drew up plans for what he called a flying chariot powered by clockwork and springs, a set of flapping wings coated with feathers and a few gunpowder boosters to help send it on its way...

...and though his design never did lead to manned space flight the principles that he envisioned took root in the scientific community of the day leading to the eventual, perhaps even inevitable, creation of the Wile E. Coyote/Road Runner cartoon.

Re:Ancient Flying Machines in India

[Noginbump]

So...

Samara Sutradhara + Kama Sutra = History's first Mile High Club?