Myth & Flight Origins
This mythological tale explores the consequences of hubris through a failed attempt at flight.
What is the myth of Icarus and Daedalus?
Da Vinci’s ornithopter failed to fly due to this fundamental limitation of human physiology.
What is insufficient muscle power to generate lift?
This physical property determines whether an object sinks or floats in a fluid.
What is density?
This ancient Greek authored The Elements, a foundational geometry text used for centuries.
Who is Euclid?
Greek myths often served this dual purpose in society, beyond entertainment.
What are teaching moral lessons and explaining natural phenomena?
This design by da Vinci, resembling a modern helicopter, was powered by men running in circles.
What is the air screw?
This gas, lighter than air and non-flammable, is commonly used in balloons.
What is helium?
This concept, foreshadowed by da Vinci, describes the loss of lift due to airflow separation.
What is aerodynamic stall?
This ancient Greek thinker tutored Alexander the Great and contributed to early physics and biology.
Who is Aristotle?
Da Vinci’s notebooks revealed this aerodynamic concept, crucial to modern aircraft stability.
What is the relationship between center of gravity and center of lift?
The Montgolfier brothers launched the first balloon flight with these three animals.
What are a sheep, a duck, and a rooster?
This force must overcome gravity for any object to achieve flight.
What is lift?
This mathematical concept, attributed to a Greek philosopher, laid the foundation for engineering and flight calculations.
What is the Pythagorean Theorem?
This codex, focused entirely on flight, was purchased for $30.8 million by a tech mogul.
What is the Codex Leicester?
This scientific principle explains why heated air causes a balloon to rise.
What is buoyancy due to decreased air density?
This term describes the study of forces acting on objects in motion through air.
What is aerodynamics?
This Greek engineer developed principles of buoyancy and leverage, influencing future flight mechanics.
Who is Archimedes?
Da Vinci’s sketches often combined anatomical studies with mechanical design, a method known as this.
What is biomimicry?
This calculation helps determine how many helium balloons are needed to lift a person.
What is volume-to-lift ratio (based on 1 liter lifting 1 gram)?
This principle explains why hot air balloons descend when hot air escapes.
What is the decrease in buoyant force due to increased air density?