Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Museums > Science Museum
Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860. Creator: Unknown
Sabots elastiques, an apparatus for walking on water, 1860. Engraving from the Manuscript department of the British Museum...accompanied by a brief specification, without date, but probably written towards the end of the last century, explaining the object of the inventor and the nature of the contrivance by which he trusted to effect it. This man, one Senor Perez, a Spaniard, appears to have been a cool-headed, sensible person, fully alive to all the difficulties of his undertaking, and not at all disposed to overestimate its utility and importance. "My first obstacle was to discover some method to prevent an upset, and after divers experiments I found that some kind of ballast or counterpoise was indispensable...I caused two boxes to be made large enough to displace a volume of water equal to the weight of my body...I had three triangles made, each furnished with a pivot at both ends, supported by a species of bridle, arranged in such fashion as to allow the boxes to advance in parallel, one with the other...These means have succeeded very well when the river was not too rapid; and I have traversed the Seine several times without much opposition". From "Illustrated London News", 1860
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 36342680
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Apparatus Contraption Innovation Invention Machine Machinery Walking On Water Metaphor
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> H
> Guy Head
> Arts
> Landscape paintings
> Waterfall and river artworks
> Nature-inspired paintings
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Fashion
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> British Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Museums
> Science Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Sights
> British Museum
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Welling
EDITORS COMMENTS
Sabots Elastiques: A Visionary Invention from the Past - The Enigmatic Apparatus for Walking on Water, 1860 This image presents Sabots Elastiques, an intriguing and seemingly impossible apparatus for walking on water, created by an unknown Spanish inventor named Senor Perez around 1860. The photograph, an engraving from the Manuscript department of the British Museum, is accompanied by a brief specification that sheds light on Perez's innovative design and the challenges he faced in bringing his audacious invention to life. The Sabots Elastiques consisted of two large water-displacing boxes, each weighing enough to counterbalance the inventor's body. Three triangular frames, pivoted at both ends, were attached to the boxes and supported by a bridle system, enabling them to move in parallel. According to Perez's account in the Illustrated London News, these means allowed him to traverse the Seine river with relative ease, overcoming the resistance of the water. Despite the apparent success of his invention, Perez acknowledged the limitations of Sabots Elastiques. He recognized the importance of addressing the issue of preventing an upset and ensuring the stability of the device. With a cool-headed and sensible approach, he experimented with various methods before settling on the water-displacing boxes as a solution. Perez's account reveals a man deeply aware of the challenges he faced and not overly confident in the utility and importance of his invention. His determination and ingenuity serve as a testament to the human spirit's relentless pursuit of innovation and the seemingly impossible. This image of Sabots Elastiques offers a glimpse into the past, reminding us of the boundless potential for discovery and the power of human curiosity.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
FREE COLORIZATION SERVICE
You can choose advanced AI Colorization for this picture at no extra charge!
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
