Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Ancient Planes and Other Claims Spark Controversy at Indian Science Congress

Posted by samzenpus on from the and-we-invented-air dept.

An anonymous reader writes A paper presented at the 102nd Indian Science Congress on Sunday claims that Indians had mastered aviation thousands of years before the Wright brothers. India's science and technology minister Mr. Harsh Vardhan who was present at the conference claimed that ancient Indian mathematicians discovered the Pythagorean theorem but that the Greeks got the credit. These startling claims come just a few days after prime minister Narendra Modi had called Lord Ganesha who is part elephant and part human, a product of ancient India's knowledge of plastic surgery.

13 of 381 comments (clear)

  1. ...and... by Charliemopps · · Score: 5, Funny

    ...and the best part is they have Nukes!

    1. Re:...and... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      That's so ghee

    2. Re:...and... by Prof.Phreak · · Score: 5, Funny

      ...and the best part is they have Nukes!

      Which according to The History Channel were also invented in India thousands of years ago!

      --

      "If anything can go wrong, it will." - Murphy

    3. Re:...and... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      Since the History channel was invented in India 3000 BCE, they are a bias source.

  2. Greeks by Extremus · · Score: 5, Funny

    The greeks got the credit, but lost them some years ago due to economic difficulties. The common wisdom now is that the Pythagorean theorem have been discovered by an anonymous hedge fund.

    1. Re:Greeks by NotDrWho · · Score: 4, Funny

      I understand that Northrop Grumman recently acquired the patents to the Pythagorean theorem after a ruling from a federal judge in the eastern district of Texas--after promising said judge a chance to fly a B-2 bomber all by his very self and a 2-scoop ice cream cone afterwards if he was a good boy.

      --
      SJW's don't eliminate discrimination. They just expropriate it for themselves.
  3. The number 0 is attributed to India... by cardpuncher · · Score: 5, Funny

    ... but I guess a paper entitled "Indians Invented Nothing" might not be selected for presentation.

  4. If they were so smart by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Well, documentation is legendary in Indian code.

    The inventions were obviously self documenting

  5. Re:Coming soon to another episode of Ancient Alien by war4peace · · Score: 5, Funny

    It's also proven that ancient people mastered the art of wireless communication. The lack of wire traces is definite proof.

    --
    ...gis sdrawkcab (usually not responding to ACs; don't bother posting as AC)
  6. Re:kim jong il science advisor by mandark1967 · · Score: 3, Funny

    It's "Yeticorns", you insensitive clod! You should know they invented gene-splicing thousands of years before anyone else.

    --
    Sig Follows: "Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain
  7. Re:Next thing you know... by MiniMike · · Score: 3, Funny

    ...they're going to dig for copper cabling that's thousands of years old,

    I have some Verizon cables in my neighborhood that seem like they might qualify.

  8. Don't forget the British royal family by Vintermann · · Score: 4, Funny

    The British royal family. They all live in the same family house together - Indian. All work in the family business - Indian. All have arranged marriages - Indian. They all have sons; daughters no good - Indian. Children live with their parents until they are married - Indian!

    Except Prince Charles. He's African.

    --
    xkcd is not in the sudoers file. This incident will be reported.
  9. You have never experienced Shakespeare by Ukab+the+Great · · Score: 4, Funny

    Until you have read him in the original Hindi.