\paperw3360 \margr0\margl0\ATXph16380 \plain \fs20 \pard\tx3255\tx6525\tx9780\ATXts240\ATXbrdr0 \f1 \fs22 Popular interest in flight has long drawn visitors to LondonÆs showplace
s. In 1786 a hopeful aeronaut exhibited his own prototype at the Pantheon, a successful exhibition venue. The machine was shaped like a fish, with a gondola suspended from it ôtriumphal in form and magnificent beyond description in appearanceö. Howeve
r, its forward motion was to be supplied by four eagles which the aspiring inventor had ôso trained, as in their flight for the purpose of guiding the machine, to be perfectly subservient to his pleasureö. This remarkable vehicle was actually given a ch
ance to prove itself. Before a crowd of ten thousand gathered at Ranelagh the would-be pilot ômounted his seat with eagles harnessed, and made an effort to ascendö. He went up about eight feet, dropped to the ground, and that was that.\par
