Artificial FLYING, that attempted by men, by the assistance of mechanics.
The art of flying has been attempted by several persons in all ages. The Leucadians, out of superstition, are reported to have had a custom of precipitating a man from a high cliff into the sea, first fixing feathers, variously expanded, round his body, in order to break the fall.
Friar Bacon, who lived near 500 years ago, not only affirms the art of flying possible, but assures us, that he himself knew how to make an engine wherein a man fitting might be able to convey himself through the air like a bird; and further adds, that there was then one who had tried it with success. The secret consisted in a couple of large thin hollow copper-globes, exhausted of air; which being much lighter than air, would sustain a chair, whereon a person might sit. Fa. Francisco Lana, in his Prodromo, proposes the same thing, as his own thought. He computes, that a round vessel of plate-brass, 14 foot in diameter, weighing three ounces the square foot, will only weigh 1848 ounces; whereas a quantity of air of the same bulk, will weigh 2155 ounces; so that the globe will not only be sustained in the air, but will carry with it a weight of 373 ounces; and by increasing the bulk of the globe, without increasing the thickness of the metal, he adds, a vessel might be made to carry a much greater weight.—But the fallacy is obvious: a globe of the dimensions he describes, Dr Hook shews, would not sustain the pressure of the air, but be crushed inwards. Beside, in whatever ratio the bulk of the globe were increased, in the same must the thickness of the metal, and consequently the weight, be increased: so that there would be no advantage in such augmentation.
The same author describes an engine for flying, invented by the Sieur Besnier, a smith of Sable, in the county of Maine. Vid. Philosoph. Collect. No 1.
The philosophers of king Charles the second's reign were mightily busied about this art. The famous bishop Wilkins was so confident of success in it, that he
says,
says, he does not question but, in future ages, it will be as usual to hear a man call for his wings, when he is going a journey, as it is now to call for his boots.
Flying Bridge. See BRIDGE.
Flying Fish, a name given by the English writers to several species of fish, which, by means of their long fins, have a method of keeping themselves out of water a long time. See EXOCECTUS.
Flying Pinion, is part of a clock, having a fly, or fan, whereby to gather air, and so bridle the rapidity of the clock's motion, when the weight descends in the striking part.