Genre:

Essay, Spoof

Relevant illustrations:

wdct.

Subjects:

Aeronautics, Transport, Mechanics, Steam-power, Matter Theory

    Reports on a 'Committee' appointed by Punch to investigate the 'comparative merits' of the Aerial Steam Ship. The committee is convinced of the 'flighty nature' of the invention. Holds that the 'process of flying through the air' was once 'perfectly feasible' and is now considered chimerical, but will be brought to 'perfection'. The committee challenges the analogy between the bird and the invention, having failed to discover 'British birds with steam engines', and recommends trying to make a 'dead bird fly by clockwork'. The committee is not satisfied with related experiments on a clock-work-mouse and its recommendations for realising the invention include securing the assistance of William Bradwell, a theatrical mechanist famous for his 'flying chariots' and reputed to be the 'only man who has ever set the laws of matter and gravitation completely at defiance'.