This invention resembled an inside-out umbrella, and was attached to the stern of a boat in such a way that when the rod was pushed backwards, the cone of the umbrella would open out causing the boat to move forward in reaction to the increased water resistance. As the boat moved forward, the rod was pulled inwards, and the cone would collapse, lessening the resistance of the water to forward motion.
Fuller was ten when he made the mechanical jellyfish. (Reader, p.45)
New Scientist 13 Jan 2001 reported the same principle being proposed for human motion in zero-gravity environments of space stations:
"Future astronauts might 'jog' around the space station, powered by umbrella-shaped devices strapped to each foot."
The researchers are Philip Watts of Applied Fluids Engineering in Long Beach, California, and David Carrier, a comparative physiologist at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.
© Paul Taylor 2001