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First Flying Dinosaurs Had Biplane Structure

Posted by Zonk on from the made-little-whirring-noises-to-keep-going dept.

unchiujar writes to mention a BBC article about the design of the first flying dinosaurs. These possible early ancestors of avians apparently resembled biplanes in many ways, with legs hanging down in a fashion similar to WWI fighters. The researchers who made this discovery use this to argue the 'trees down' model of flight evolution, but the article points out this design may possibly be a failed evolutionary experiment. From the article: "Dr Chatterjee, from Texas Tech University in Lubbock, US, explained that two lines of evidence had led the team to this conclusion. Firstly, the researchers argue, dinosaurs and birds move their legs in a vertical plane, not sideways as the tandem flight pattern requires. Secondly, the feathers on Microraptor's hind legs are asymmetrical; one of the two vanes that extend either side of the shaft is narrower than the other. Aerodynamically, the narrow leading edge of these feathers should face forward in flight, against the direction of airflow. This would have given the flying reptiles lift. "

10 of 144 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Not designed properly by Bazman · · Score: 5, Funny

    You'd think a flying spaghetti monster would have no trouble designing a flying thing...

  2. Samuel Jackson would be t3h p1ss3d by neuro.slug · · Score: 4, Funny

    "Enough is enough! I've had it with this muthafuckin' snakes lookin' like muthafuckin' planes!"

  3. Ha by Fist!+Of!+Death! · · Score: 2, Funny

    Just another inbred lizard.

    Design flaw was the wings dropped off when it got a fright - which was when it first leapt from the trees. Ouch! Evolution pulls a nasty one!

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    Nothing witty
  4. Presidential Memo: To Slashdot +1, Patriotistic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny


    Proof that intelligent deezine wins.

    Presidenshully yours,
    George W. Bush

  5. Re:Not designed properly by Sloppy · · Score: 4, Funny

    It's probably a good thing the elder things' wing experiments had only limited success. On one hand, we might be able to fly, but on the other hand: flying shoggoths!

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    As copyright owner of this comment, I authorize everyone to defeat any technological measure which limits access to it.
  6. You ever hear of origami? by andy314159pi · · Score: 2, Funny

    This story reminds me of a Little Ceaser's commercial from maybe 1988.

    Guy: So what am I gonna do with this pizza box?
    Clerk: You ever hear of origami?
    Clerk frenetically folds pizza box.
    Clerk: It's a pterodactyl.
    Clerk runs with origami pterodactyl

    1. Re:You ever hear of origami? by andy314159pi · · Score: 2, Funny

      You have put your finite memory resources to wise use. :)

  7. What I want to know by Junior+J.+Junior+III · · Score: 3, Funny

    Is how these dinosaurs managed to fire their machineguns through their propellers without shooting off the prop?

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    You see? You see? Your stupid minds! Stupid! Stupid!
  8. Re:Not designed properly by XenoRyet · · Score: 3, Funny

    Curiously written? There's an understatement. I'm sure if your stretch your imagination to its limit with apologist interpretations the bible can also be used as a car repair guide. Seriously, once my car wouldn't start, and I couldn't figure out why. Then I read what the bible had to say about things starting. It said "Let there be light". I took a look at the spark plugs, and woudn't you know it, no light in there. So I got new ones, and then there was light in there, and the car worked.

    See, the bible really can be used as a care repair guide.

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    If forums teach us anything, it is that logic and critical thinking should be required courses in the public schools.
  9. Excellent Example by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You are tranisitory to someone who isn't an idiot