Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site rtp47.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!bonnie!akgua!mcnc!rti-sel!rtp47!throopw From: throopw@rtp47.UUCP (Wayne Throop) Newsgroups: net.origins Subject: Re: Those amazing flightless bees Message-ID: <151@rtp47.UUCP> Date: Tue, 20-Aug-85 13:32:38 EDT Article-I.D.: rtp47.151 Posted: Tue Aug 20 13:32:38 1985 Date-Received: Sat, 24-Aug-85 02:56:20 EDT References: <1600@watdcsu.UUCP> <41500005@ur-univax.UUCP> <647@mit-vax.UUCP> Organization: Data General, RTP, NC Lines: 17 > A better question is: how do bumble-bees fly? (You know, the big fat ones!) > Last I heard, nobody could "scientifically" explain their aerodynamics. Yes, I realize that this posting was a joke, but this raises an interesting common misconception. The calculation resulting in the conclusion "bumble-bees can't fly" was done using aerodynamic equations and assumptions of a fixed-wing aircraft, engine of power so-and-so, etc. The calculation was done as a joke, by some engineers in the 50's. It was promptly picked up and distorted by the infamous Sunday Science Supplements of the time, and became instant folklore, an example of something that science can't explain. -- "I't a JOKE, son. I keep throw'n 'em, and you keep miss'n 'em." Foghorn Leghorn -- Wayne Throop at Data General, RTP, NC!mcnc!rti-sel!rtp47!throopw