REALL News - Vol 03 No 06 - 1995

Magazine Overview

The REALL News, Volume 3 Issue 6, dated June 1995, features a prominent article titled "The Sociocultural Genesis of the Flying Saucer (Swedenborg Hybrid Ornithopter of 1714)" by Wesley R. Smith, Ph.D. The magazine's masthead includes a quote attributed to James Randi: "It's a very dangerous thing to believe in nonsense."

The Sociocultural Genesis of the Flying Saucer (Swedenborg Hybrid Ornithopter of 1714)

This extensive article by Wesley R. Smith, Ph.D., delves into the origins of circular, elliptical, and annular wing planforms in aircraft design, focusing on Emanuel Swedenborg's 1714 concept. Smith notes that over 50 aircraft have been designed or built using these shapes, with a dedicated U.S. Patent subclass (Class 244, Aeronautics; Subclass 21.2 Airplane, circular) existing for circular wing aircraft.

Emanuel Swedenborg's Life and Work

Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772) is identified as the designer of the first recorded circular aircraft. Born in Stockholm, Sweden, he was the son of Jesper Swedenberg, whose surname was later changed to Swedenborg. Emanuel studied at Uppsala University and traveled extensively in Europe, meeting notable figures like John Flamsteed and Edmund Halley. He was an avid student of astronomy and mathematics. While he studied Isaac Newton's works, there is no evidence he knew Newton personally. During his life, Swedenborg developed numerous ideas, including a method for calculating longitude and plans for a submarine and an aeroplane.

The 1714 Ornithopter Design

On September 8, 1714, Swedenborg first described his flying machine idea to his brother-in-law, Erik Benzelius. A complete description was later published in the scientific journal *Daedulus Hyperboreus* in 1716. Swedenborg was also appointed Assessor Extraordinary at the Royal College of Mines, a position he held for 30 years. *Daedulus Hyperboreus* is credited with containing the first detailed technical description of a flying machine.

Swedenborg's original manuscripts, housed at the Stifts-och Landesbibliotek at Linkoping, include a sketch of his "Flying Saucer." The design was oval, but circular, square, and rectangular planforms were also suggested. The dimensions for his aircraft varied depending on the shape, with a circular planform being 28' in diameter. The central pilot's station was described as being 6' wide, 4' long, and 2' deep, with suggested materials for the basket including cork, leather, and birch bark. The wings, both main and secondary flapping wings, were to be covered with sailcloth.

The flapping wings, operated by the pilot, were designed to function as valves, opening on the down-stroke and closing on the up-stroke. Swedenborg believed that "the power of the wind" combined with the pilot's ability to alter the incidence angle would compensate for muscular weakness and provide sufficient thrust for horizontal flight. This design represented a partial separation of lift and thrust components, a concept not fully realized until Sir George Cayley's work 85 years later.

The oval wing was constructed with a wooden framework and eight lateral ribs, employing both lateral and longitudinal camber. To ensure pendulum stability, a vertical beam with a weight of 1 lispund (18.75 lbs) was to be attached to the bottom of the pilot's basket. Swedenborg also suggested attaching wheels to the ends of the quadruped struts, though not explicitly stating they were necessary.

Legacy and Influence

Swedenborg's flying saucer was never built. However, he wisely suggested testing it as a ballasted glider launched from a high place. The article notes that despite the practical and impractical aspects of his design, his work influenced no one and is largely forgotten by aerospace historians. Nevertheless, since his time, numerous successful circular planform aircraft have been built and flown.

Historical Context and Related Designs

The article points out that numerous circular, elliptical, or annular shaped aircraft were designed or built in the United States and Canada before World War I, including designs by Dr. Bell, Ringert Jongewaard, Robert B. Taylor, and George Francis Myers. It also mentions the "McCormick-Romme 'Umbrella Plane'" tested between 1912 and 1914. The recent display of a disc-shaped airship by Russians in Washington, D.C., is noted as evidence that the idea of such craft persists despite aerodynamic drag penalties.

The author posits that the flying saucer phenomenon, like "flying house" stories and the "Great Airship Flap" of 1896-1897, is rooted in historical fact that has evolved into distorted mythology. While acknowledging the possibility of extraterrestrial life, the article concludes that identified flying saucers are products of imaginative human beings, with Emanuel Swedenborg being a key early example.

Notes and Bibliography

The "Notes" section clarifies that Swedenborg's unit of measurement, the ell, is approximately 2' (24n) or 2.25' (27"). It provides recalculated dimensions for Swedenborg's aircraft based on the latter measurement. The "Bibliography" section lists numerous books and periodicals related to aeronautics, Swedenborg, and flying machines, including works by Gibbs-Smith, Clive Hart, C.S. Sigstedt, and R.L. Tafel.

Listing of Circular, Annular, Elliptical, Square, Rectangular or Otherwise Oddly Shaped Aircraft

A significant portion of the magazine is dedicated to a comprehensive table listing various aircraft designs from 1714 to the present that are relevant to the UFO phenomenon. This list includes the designer, configuration (e.g., elliptical, circular, annular, h-t-a - heavier-than-air, l-t-a - lighter-than-air), country of origin, and year of design or patent. Notable entries include:

• Emanuel Swedenborg (1714)
• Robert B. Taylor (1842)
• Muzio Muzzi (1844)
• Leteur (1852)
• John Wooton (1866)
• Ringert Jongewaard (1883)
• F.R. Geshyenda (1887)
• John Buegger (1888)
• William Augustus Fyers (1891)
• William N. Riddle (1892)
• William Eddy (1892)
• Laurence Hargrave (1893)
• Estanislao Caballero de Los Olivos (1895)
• George F. Myers (1897-1904)
• Percy Pilcher (1897)
• Rev. Burrell Cannon (1880s-1902, 1913?)
• A.G. Bell (1908)
• D'Equevilley, Givaudan (1908)
• Vermorel (1908)
• Cappazza (1909)
• Unknown (1909)
• Lt. J.W. Seddon, RN and A.G. Hackett Seddon (1909)
• A.G. Ufnmstev (1909-1910)
• William P. Gary (1910)
• Butler Ames (1910)
• Amos Wyckoff (1910-1914)
• Lee-Richards (1911)
• William P. Gary (1911)
• Edwards (1911)
• Lee-Richards (1912)
• McCormick-Romme (1912-1914)
• Lee-Richards (1913)
• J. Robertson Porter (1913)
• Paul Malwurm (1929)
• L.C. Popper and John B. Guest (1932)
• Snyder (1932)
• Unknown (1932?)
• Nicholson (1932)
• Carl N. Hall (1933)
• Jonathan E. Caldwell (1933)
• Luigi Stipa-Caproni (1933)
• Nemeth (1930s)
• Lamer (1930s)
• Aarup (1935)
• Moskalyev (1936-1937)
• Flettner (late 1930s)
• Vought (1942)
• Vought (1947-1948)
• Miles (1947-1948)
• Leduc (1949)
• Leduc (1953)
• Hiller (1955)
• Convair (1950s)
• Doak (1958)
• SNECMA (1959)
• Avro tCanada) (1960)
• Piasecki (1962)
• Aero Rinetics (1963)
• Northrop (1966)
• Northrop (1965-1966)
• Bell (1966)
• NORD (1968)
• Boeing/Grumman (mid-1960s - current)
• Martin Marietta (1970)
• Martin Marietta (1973)
• Skyship Enterprises (1974)
• Lockheed (late-1970s)
• Mr. Six? (1980?)
• Unknown (1994)
• Howard Menger (1951?)

The "Addenda" section includes further entries:

• Cayley (1852-1853)
• Convair (1960)
• Avro (1960)
• NC Price 1 (1963)
• Lockheed (09-10-63)
• Sikorsky (1988-present)
• Paul Moller (1980s-present)
• Jesse A. Bird? (1897)
• Lockheed (Mid-1960s)

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The magazine, through its featured article and the inclusion of the James Randi quote, appears to adopt a critical yet open-minded stance towards phenomena often associated with the unexplained. While acknowledging the historical basis and imaginative aspects of flying saucer lore, the article emphasizes a grounded, historical, and scientific approach, tracing the origins of relevant aircraft designs. The editorial stance seems to favor rigorous historical research and a skeptical perspective on unsubstantiated claims, while not dismissing the possibility of genuine phenomena or the value of historical inquiry into early aviation and unusual designs.