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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.
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...
I have a plan. Using mainly spoons, we'll tunnel our way out of the city...
Give me a big enough spring, and I can move Rubin Studdard into low earth orbit.
I wonder if macgyver could have done better...
Be you Admins? nay, we are but lusers!
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.