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Aviation History
1954
1954 - 2345.PDF
38 FLIGHT 27 AUGUST 1954 THE A page from ESSO HISTOIRE OF AERIAL LOCOMOTION Adapted from the French de P. Crochet-Damais. Illustrated par Philippe Fety avec permission KARL FRIEDRICH-MEERWEIN, BIRD-MAN? T HE PRINCE OF BADEN'S architect, Meerwein, was a man of remarkable ingenuity and inventive skill, and most of his talent he applied to the problem of constructing kites— kites of all shapes and sizes and of every imaginable material. Fortunately for Meerwein the Prince was an indulgent master and took a great interest in the pranks of his protege. In 1781 the architect produced his masterpiece, an aerofoil capable of supporting a man, and there was intense excitement when the machine was first tested in the park of the castle. From J. J. Thourneysen (" VArt de voler a la maniire des oiseaux," Bale, 1784) we learn that Meerwein soared grace fully for several moments and then crashed in front of the royal box. Consternation. Panic. Terrified footmen. A worried Prince. But Meerwein picked himself unharmed from the wreckage and immediately returned to his drawing-board. He made many flights — most of them with equally dramatic results — and lived to win great renown throughout the duchy. Today genius gets results by remembering that it pays to say AVIATION FUELS & LUBRICANTS ESSO PETROLEUM COMPANY, LIMITED, 36 QUEEN ANNE'S GATE, LONDON, S.Wt
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