Patent GB-1867-1982

An ornithopter, perhaps with many wings, and possibly operated by steam power. The pilot's hands and feet pull cords to move the wings one direction, and springs bring them back to their earlier position. Somehow a rotating "shaft" is involved, but without diagrams it's not clear what that's doing.

As described by Brewer and Alexander, 1893, Aëronautics, p41:

A small shaft is fixed to the person's body, and rotated by means of clutch pulleys, which are actuated by the feet and hands pulling down cords, the recovery of the pulleys being accomplished by springs.

The rotation of this shaft actuates wings, which receive an up and down, and also a swivel, action, thus pulling the person forward as well as supporting him in the air.

The wings, which are made on the principle of a lady's fan, are intented to move like the wings of a bird.

By employing two or more pairs of wings acting at different times, a continuous power is obtained. Steam power may be employed, and as many as 40 wings on each side of the car could then be utilized.

Sources

• Brewer and Alexander, 1893, Aëronautics, p41
• Neilson, 1910, Aeroplane Patents, p71

Year filed	1867
Year granted	1867
Office	GB
Patent number	1982
Inventors	Thomas Craddock
Inventor country	GB
Applicant person	Thomas Craddock
Applicant firm
Applicant type	INDIV
Applicant is inventor?	1
Original title	Flying machine
English title	Flying machine
Tech fields	ornithopter, control, multiple wings
Filing date	1867
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Grant date	1867
Granted?	1
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Related to aircraft?	1
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Family year	1867
First filing?	1
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