Those Magnificent Flying Machines: Difference between revisions

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This trope is for all Flying Machines that reflect this aesthetic, and this romantic way of looking at [[Flight|human flight]]. It is most usually found in [[Steampunk]] and [[Raygun Gothic]] works, but may also have a place in [[Fantasy]] and even [[Historical Fiction]].
This trope is for all Flying Machines that reflect this aesthetic, and this romantic way of looking at [[Flight|human flight]]. It is most usually found in [[Steampunk]] and [[Raygun Gothic]] works, but may also have a place in [[Fantasy]] and even [[Historical Fiction]].


In more fantasy-oriented works, [[Sky Pirates]] may make use of [[Those Magnificent Flying Machines]] to plough [[The Sky Is an Ocean|the ocean of air]] in their search for prey. [[Floating Continent|Floating Continents]] and a [[World in The Sky]] may or may not be involved. Please don't try to take this trope ''too'' far into the realm of fantasy, though. Letting flight be entirely explained by ''magic'', for example, would not have the same feel or meaning for the story. A flying ship kept airborne by a wizard's spell would ''not'' count as an example of this trope (though a flying ship that [[Magitek|uses magic to drive a hundred tiny propellers]] very well might).
In more fantasy-oriented works, [[Sky Pirates]] may make use of [[Those Magnificent Flying Machines]] to plough [[The Sky Is an Ocean|the ocean of air]] in their search for prey. [[Floating Continent|Floating Continents]] and a [[World in the Sky]] may or may not be involved. Please don't try to take this trope ''too'' far into the realm of fantasy, though. Letting flight be entirely explained by ''magic'', for example, would not have the same feel or meaning for the story. A flying ship kept airborne by a wizard's spell would ''not'' count as an example of this trope (though a flying ship that [[Magitek|uses magic to drive a hundred tiny propellers]] very well might).


Generally, a Magnificent Flying Machine will have one or several of the following features:
Generally, a Magnificent Flying Machine will have one or several of the following features:
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Or ''cool'', necessarily. While usually these craft will be treated as impressive feats of engineering -- as the title implies -- in some settings a primitive-looking flying machine will be [[Played for Laughs]] (perhaps as an aeronautical version of [[The Alleged Car]]). Actual use of the term "''Flying Machine''" usually suggests humour.
Or ''cool'', necessarily. While usually these craft will be treated as impressive feats of engineering -- as the title implies -- in some settings a primitive-looking flying machine will be [[Played for Laughs]] (perhaps as an aeronautical version of [[The Alleged Car]]). Actual use of the term "''Flying Machine''" usually suggests humour.


[[Truth in Television|Actual]] aircraft in the early days of aviation, as well as many early unsuccessful attempts to build flying machines, may well fit here. [[Leonardo Da Vinci]] deserves special mention for dreaming up many fanciful aircraft in the early 16th century (several examples below were inspired by his work). The trope likely stopped applying to [[Real Life]] sometime after [[World War I]] as airplanes gradually became more streamlined, less improbable-looking, and more mundane.
[[Truth in Television|Actual]] aircraft in the early days of aviation, as well as many early unsuccessful attempts to build flying machines, may well fit here. [[Leonardo da Vinci]] deserves special mention for dreaming up many fanciful aircraft in the early 16th century (several examples below were inspired by his work). The trope likely stopped applying to [[Real Life]] sometime after [[World War I]] as airplanes gradually became more streamlined, less improbable-looking, and more mundane.
{{examples}}
{{examples}}


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== Anime & Manga ==
== Anime & Manga ==
* [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s entire filmography: scenic flying sequences are a signature element, and he grew up around old airplanes in the factory operated by his father and uncle.
* [[Hayao Miyazaki]]'s entire filmography: scenic flying sequences are a signature element, and he grew up around old airplanes in the factory operated by his father and uncle.
** ''[[The Castle of Cagliostro (Anime)|The Castleof Cagliostro]]'' adds a classic autogyro to a ''[[Lupin III]]'' story as a [[Chekhov's Gun]].
** ''[[The Castle of Cagliostro|The Castleof Cagliostro]]'' adds a classic autogyro to a ''[[Lupin III]]'' story as a [[Chekhov's Gun]].
** ''[[Nausicaa of the Valley of The Wind]]'' has fanciful gliders and balloons.
** ''[[Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind]]'' has fanciful gliders and balloons.
** ''[[Castle in The Sky]]'' might as well be considered flying machine porn.
** ''[[Castle in The Sky]]'' might as well be considered flying machine porn.
** ''[[Kiki's Delivery Service]]'' has a pedal powered experimental plane and extensive broomstick flight scenes.
** ''[[Kiki's Delivery Service]]'' has a pedal powered experimental plane and extensive broomstick flight scenes.
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** The steam-powered, wing-flapping aircraft of ''[[Film/Howls Moving Castle|Howl's Moving Castle]]'' are beautiful examples, including both giant war-planes and small [[Flying Car|commuter craft]]. Eventually, the castle itself becomes an example.
** The steam-powered, wing-flapping aircraft of ''[[Film/Howls Moving Castle|Howl's Moving Castle]]'' are beautiful examples, including both giant war-planes and small [[Flying Car|commuter craft]]. Eventually, the castle itself becomes an example.
** ''[[Princess Mononoke]]'', ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'', and ''[[Spirited Away]]'' are exceptions, but tend to feature flying scenes anyway, via high-jumping, running on cliffs, dragon-riding, or treetop cat-bus rides.
** ''[[Princess Mononoke]]'', ''[[My Neighbor Totoro]]'', and ''[[Spirited Away]]'' are exceptions, but tend to feature flying scenes anyway, via high-jumping, running on cliffs, dragon-riding, or treetop cat-bus rides.
* In [[Fullmetal Alchemist (Anime)|the 2003 anime version]] of ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (Manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'', this is Ed's reaction to seeing the [[World War One|WWI]] planes of our world.
* In [[Fullmetal Alchemist (anime)|the 2003 anime version]] of ''[[Fullmetal Alchemist (manga)|Fullmetal Alchemist]]'', this is Ed's reaction to seeing the [[World War One|WWI]] planes of our world.
* ''[[The Daughter of Twenty Faces]]'' has a double-balloon airship that is definitely strange, [[Steampunk]], and propeller-laden enough to count.
* ''[[The Daughter of Twenty Faces]]'' has a double-balloon airship that is definitely strange, [[Steampunk]], and propeller-laden enough to count.
* Most of the flying machines seen in the first episode of ''[[Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water]]''.
* Most of the flying machines seen in the first episode of ''[[Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water]]''.
* In ''[[Zero no Tsukaima (Light Novel)|Zero no Tsukaima]]'', there are ships with wings. How they fly? [[A Wizard Did It|Wizards did it.]] [[Exactly What It Says On the Tin|Literally]].
* In ''[[Zero no Tsukaima]]'', there are ships with wings. How they fly? [[A Wizard Did It|Wizards did it.]] [[Exactly What It Says on the Tin|Literally]].
* Eneru's [[Cool Ship|Ark Maxim]] in [[One Piece]]. It's a huge boat with wings and lots of propellers. The primary power source is [[Shock and Awe|Eneru himself.]] The backup suspension system, should Eneru be otherwise occupied, is ''seashells''. Well, [[Applied Phlebotinum|extinct Jet Dials]], but still seashells. It's designed to take Eneru and four people of his choice to the moon. Which it does, minus the extra passengers. Oh, and it's made of gold. Like, solid gold.
* Eneru's [[Cool Ship|Ark Maxim]] in [[One Piece]]. It's a huge boat with wings and lots of propellers. The primary power source is [[Shock and Awe|Eneru himself.]] The backup suspension system, should Eneru be otherwise occupied, is ''seashells''. Well, [[Applied Phlebotinum|extinct Jet Dials]], but still seashells. It's designed to take Eneru and four people of his choice to the moon. Which it does, minus the extra passengers. Oh, and it's made of gold. Like, solid gold.




== Comic Books ==
== Comic Books ==
* The flying machine of Alexander LeRoi in the [[Batman (Comic Book)|Batman]] [[Elseworld]] comic ''Master of the Future''.
* The flying machine of Alexander LeRoi in the [[Batman]] [[Elseworld]] comic ''Master of the Future''.
* In ''[[De Cape Et De Crocs]]'', Bombastus builds a pedal-powered flying machine with flapping wings, all thanks to [[Bamboo Technology]]. Subverted in that half-way through the flight, he realizes it's not actually working - just slowing their fall.
* In ''[[De Cape et de Crocs]]'', Bombastus builds a pedal-powered flying machine with flapping wings, all thanks to [[Bamboo Technology]]. Subverted in that half-way through the flight, he realizes it's not actually working - just slowing their fall.
* An episode of ''[[Valerian]]'', "World Without Stars", had pseudo-Renaissance blimps pulled by teams of horse-sized insects.
* An episode of ''[[Valerian]]'', "World Without Stars", had pseudo-Renaissance blimps pulled by teams of horse-sized insects.
** The airships we see at the end could also qualify, since they're basically modified old-school balloons.
** The airships we see at the end could also qualify, since they're basically modified old-school balloons.
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* The film ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines|Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes]]'' (the [[Trope Namer]], as you might guess) opens with a brief "history of flight," featuring plenty of improbable and amusing contraptions. The opening credits feature a flotilla of humorous animated examples. The racing airplanes in the movie itself are also examples, and, notably, are all fairly faithful reproductions of actual early aircraft.
* The film ''[[Those Magnificent Men in Their Flying Machines|Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, Or How I Flew from London to Paris in 25 Hours 11 Minutes]]'' (the [[Trope Namer]], as you might guess) opens with a brief "history of flight," featuring plenty of improbable and amusing contraptions. The opening credits feature a flotilla of humorous animated examples. The racing airplanes in the movie itself are also examples, and, notably, are all fairly faithful reproductions of actual early aircraft.
** The "History of Flight" sequence was apparently a compilation that somebody had put together back in the 1920s, saving the movie's producers the job of making it themselves.
** The "History of Flight" sequence was apparently a compilation that somebody had put together back in the 1920s, saving the movie's producers the job of making it themselves.
* In ''[[The Great Race]]'' -- a [[Dueling Movies|Dueling Film]] with the above -- the evil Professor Fate uses a small ''pedal-powered'' airship to try and drop a bomb onto the hero, with [[Hoist By His Own Petard|predictable results]].
* In ''[[The Great Race]]'' -- a [[Dueling Movies|Dueling Film]] with the above -- the evil Professor Fate uses a small ''pedal-powered'' airship to try and drop a bomb onto the hero, with [[Hoist by His Own Petard|predictable results]].
* ''[[Master Of The World]]'' featured the propeller-studded ''Albatross''.
* ''[[Master Of The World]]'' featured the propeller-studded ''Albatross''.
* ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' was an old-timey race car fitted with little wings and propellers. {{spoiler|Though its flying power was [[All Just a Dream]]... or was it?}}
* ''[[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' was an old-timey race car fitted with little wings and propellers. {{spoiler|Though its flying power was [[All Just a Dream]]... or was it?}}
* The film ''[[Young Sherlock Holmes]]'' featured one of these.
* The film ''[[Young Sherlock Holmes]]'' featured one of these.
* ''[[Hudson Hawk]]''. A [[Leonardo Da Vinci]] glider comes in handy for the title character and Anna Baragli.
* ''[[Hudson Hawk]]''. A [[Leonardo da Vinci]] glider comes in handy for the title character and Anna Baragli.
* In the 2004 version of ''[[Around the World In Eighty Days]]'', Fogg and co. build one of these out of pieces of their ship in order to finish their journey on time.
* In the 2004 version of ''[[Around the World in Eighty Days]]'', Fogg and co. build one of these out of pieces of their ship in order to finish their journey on time.
* In ''[[Once Upon a Forest]]'' a trio of young [[Woodland Creatures]] take their professor's plans for a flying machine called "The Flapper Wingamathing" with them on a quest to retrieve a plant that will help their comatose friend, and are able to build a scale replica of the contraption using [[Bamboo Technology]] to get the plant from a steep cliff face.
* In ''[[Once Upon a Forest]]'' a trio of young [[Woodland Creatures]] take their professor's plans for a flying machine called "The Flapper Wingamathing" with them on a quest to retrieve a plant that will help their comatose friend, and are able to build a scale replica of the contraption using [[Bamboo Technology]] to get the plant from a steep cliff face.
* The chicken coop-turned airplane at the end of ''[[Chicken Run (Animation)|Chicken Run]]''.
* The chicken coop-turned airplane at the end of ''[[Chicken Run]]''.
* The airplane (later converted into a helicopter) in ''[[Madagascar]]: Escape 2 Africa''.
* The airplane (later converted into a helicopter) in ''[[Madagascar]]: Escape 2 Africa''.


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== Live Action TV ==
== Live Action TV ==
* A ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' sketch has an inventor wearing a flying machine that consisted of two small wings on his back, powered by a hand crank on his chest. It turns out (in a brilliant visual gag) not to work particularly well. Some of these also showed up in Terry Gillam's animated linking sequences.
* A ''[[Monty Python's Flying Circus]]'' sketch has an inventor wearing a flying machine that consisted of two small wings on his back, powered by a hand crank on his chest. It turns out (in a brilliant visual gag) not to work particularly well. Some of these also showed up in Terry Gillam's animated linking sequences.
* ''[[The Goodies (TV)|The Goodies]]'' sometimes made their "trandem" bicycle fly, albeit precariously, by attaching it to a balloon.
* ''[[The Goodies]]'' sometimes made their "trandem" bicycle fly, albeit precariously, by attaching it to a balloon.
* The ''[[Wild Wild West]]'' series.
* The ''[[Wild Wild West]]'' series.


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* ''[[Deadlands]]''.
* ''[[Deadlands]]''.
* The metallic Deffkopta model in ''[[Warhammer 40000]]''. Plastic models however are more subdued, just looking like a bike modded into a helicopter. This works because it is made by Orks; they're idiots with telekinetic powers, so [[Achievements in Ignorance|if they believe something will work, it does]].
* The metallic Deffkopta model in ''[[Warhammer 40000]]''. Plastic models however are more subdued, just looking like a bike modded into a helicopter. This works because it is made by Orks; they're idiots with telekinetic powers, so [[Achievements in Ignorance|if they believe something will work, it does]].
* The Ornithopters ("Thopters" for short) from [[Magic the Gathering]].
* The Ornithopters ("Thopters" for short) from [[Magic: The Gathering]].




== Video Games ==
== Video Games ==
* In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', engineers can craft a Flying Machine (actually called that) that fits this trope perfectly. It looks like an old plane with tiny wings and a helicopter-like propeller on the top, belches smoke, and seems to barely stay airborne. If you idle in air with it, its engine will occasionally turn off for a second or so, causing it to fall a few feet before it turns back on.
* In ''[[World of Warcraft]]'', engineers can craft a Flying Machine (actually called that) that fits this trope perfectly. It looks like an old plane with tiny wings and a helicopter-like propeller on the top, belches smoke, and seems to barely stay airborne. If you idle in air with it, its engine will occasionally turn off for a second or so, causing it to fall a few feet before it turns back on.
** Flying Machines originated in ''[[War Craft]] III'', with two distinct variations: one has a fairly typical-looking helicopter rotor with a pair of propellers for forward thrust. The other has a pair of propeller-turbine contraptions that can rotate to point forward or downward, a bit like an Osprey VTOL aircraft. Both are made with the finest [[Steampunk]] materials, of course.
** Flying Machines originated in ''[[Warcraft]] III'', with two distinct variations: one has a fairly typical-looking helicopter rotor with a pair of propellers for forward thrust. The other has a pair of propeller-turbine contraptions that can rotate to point forward or downward, a bit like an Osprey VTOL aircraft. Both are made with the finest [[Steampunk]] materials, of course.
* The Vinci faction from ''[[Rise of Legends]]'' are all steampunkish, and so are their flying machines.
* The Vinci faction from ''[[Rise of Legends]]'' are all steampunkish, and so are their flying machines.
* One of [[Leonardo Da Vinci]]'s flying machines appeared in ''[[Assassin's Creed]] II'', and it was propelled by giant pyres burning all over the city.
* One of [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s flying machines appeared in ''[[Assassin's Creed]] II'', and it was propelled by giant pyres burning all over the city.
* The flyers in ''[[Jade Empire]]''. Rocket-propelled Magitek-powered cloth-winged constructions designed and built by a mad {{spoiler|god}} named Kang. They really ought to shred themselves rather than actually flying.
* The flyers in ''[[Jade Empire]]''. Rocket-propelled Magitek-powered cloth-winged constructions designed and built by a mad {{spoiler|god}} named Kang. They really ought to shred themselves rather than actually flying.
* Those Babylon Rouges of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' certainly have a nice airship.
* Those Babylon Rouges of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' certainly have a nice airship.
* ''[[Spore]]'' allows you to build your own not only as airships, but also as spaceships! That's right, you can really let your [[Steampunk]] ideas go loose in this.
* ''[[Spore]]'' allows you to build your own not only as airships, but also as spaceships! That's right, you can really let your [[Steampunk]] ideas go loose in this.
* Beedle's shop in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword (Video Game)|The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword]]''. A square wooden helicopter in a world that otherwise doesn't have powered flight. It's powered by pedalling and has some sort of [[Schizo-Tech|primitive computer]].
* Beedle's shop in ''[[The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword|The Legend of Zelda Skyward Sword]]''. A square wooden helicopter in a world that otherwise doesn't have powered flight. It's powered by pedalling and has some sort of [[Schizo-Tech|primitive computer]].
* Several [[Final Fantasy]] games (most notably VI and IX) take place in worlds where the local civilization is just beginning to conquer skies. So the local [[Global Airship]] is usually built in this aesthetic.
* Several [[Final Fantasy]] games (most notably VI and IX) take place in worlds where the local civilization is just beginning to conquer skies. So the local [[Global Airship]] is usually built in this aesthetic.


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* Gil's bat-wing flyer in ''[[Girl Genius]]'' counts (and provides the page quote, [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030623 here]). The numerous [[Cool Airship|Cool Airships]] found throughout the work are examples as well.
* Gil's bat-wing flyer in ''[[Girl Genius]]'' counts (and provides the page quote, [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20030623 here]). The numerous [[Cool Airship|Cool Airships]] found throughout the work are examples as well.
** And [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040526 lifegliders]. Can't forget lifegliders. If the survival equipment looks like [[Hot Skitty-On-Wailord Action|offspring of a bat and a blimp]], this tells something about the world.
** And [http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/comic.php?date=20040526 lifegliders]. Can't forget lifegliders. If the survival equipment looks like [[Hot Skitty-On-Wailord Action|offspring of a bat and a blimp]], this tells something about the world.
* KK's steam helicopter in ''[[Freakangels]].''
* KK's steam helicopter in ''[[Freak Angels]].''
* ''[[Hark a Vagrant]]'': [http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=231 The Jules Verne approach vs. the H.G. Wells approach.]
* ''[[Hark! A Vagrant]]'': [http://www.harkavagrant.com/index.php?id=231 The Jules Verne approach vs. the H.G. Wells approach.]




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'''Hugh:''' Yes, it's a good thing they re-evaluated those wacky old designs! }}
'''Hugh:''' Yes, it's a good thing they re-evaluated those wacky old designs! }}
** Also parodied via a short sight-gag in another episode. The ''Da Vinci Airport'' <ref>perhaps meant to be the ''[[wikipedia:Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport|Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport]]'' near Rome</ref> in [[Useful Notes/Italy|Italy]] seems to be host to a lot of flying machines designed by the man it is named after.
** Also parodied via a short sight-gag in another episode. The ''Da Vinci Airport'' <ref>perhaps meant to be the ''[[wikipedia:Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport|Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport]]'' near Rome</ref> in [[Useful Notes/Italy|Italy]] seems to be host to a lot of flying machines designed by the man it is named after.
* The flying machines built by [[Wrench Wench|Gadget]] in ''[[Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (Animation)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]''.
* The flying machines built by [[Wrench Wench|Gadget]] in ''[[Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers (animation)|Chip 'n Dale Rescue Rangers]]''.
* ''[[Dastardly and Muttley In Their Flying Machines]]''.
* ''[[Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines]]''.
* From ''[[Wacky Races]]'', you had the Crimson Haybaler.
* From ''[[Wacky Races]]'', you had the Crimson Haybaler.
* The Flintstone Flyer in the first episode of ''[[The Flintstones]]'', a pedal-operated whirlygig invented by Barney (despite the name). Later in the series, planes were just modern airliners with pterodactyls instead of jets, or else [[Giant Flyer|one giant pterodactyl]] with a cabin mounted on top.
* The Flintstone Flyer in the first episode of ''[[The Flintstones]]'', a pedal-operated whirlygig invented by Barney (despite the name). Later in the series, planes were just modern airliners with pterodactyls instead of jets, or else [[Giant Flyer|one giant pterodactyl]] with a cabin mounted on top.
* Used at least once (probably more, due to the Steampunk setting) in ''[[The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack]]''.
* Used at least once (probably more, due to the Steampunk setting) in ''[[The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack]]''.
* Seen in ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (Animation)|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'', "Griffon the Brush-Off", where Pinkie Pie tries at one point to keep up with Rainbow Dash and Gilda in a pedal-powered helicopter decorated with candy-cane stripes which Dash accurately describes as a "crazy contraption".
* Seen in ''[[My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic|My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic]]'', "Griffon the Brush-Off", where Pinkie Pie tries at one point to keep up with Rainbow Dash and Gilda in a pedal-powered helicopter decorated with candy-cane stripes which Dash accurately describes as a "crazy contraption".
** {{spoiler|Tank the tortoise}} gets outfitted with propellers in "[[My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic (Animation)/Recap/S2 E7 May the Best Pet Win|May The Best Pet Win!]]".
** {{spoiler|Tank the tortoise}} gets outfitted with propellers in "[[My Little Pony Friendship Is Magic (Animation)/Recap/S2 E7 May the Best Pet Win|May The Best Pet Win!]]".
* The ''St. George'' from ''[[Dragon Hunters]]''.
* The ''St. George'' from ''[[Dragon Hunters]]''.
* The [[Disney]] [[Wartime Cartoon]] ''Victory Through Air Power'' starts off with a humorous review of the progress of the airplane from the [[Magnificent Flying Machines]] of the early days of aviation to the deadly warplanes of [[World War II]].
* The [[Disney]] [[Wartime Cartoon]] ''Victory Through Air Power'' starts off with a humorous review of the progress of the airplane from the [[Magnificent Flying Machines]] of the early days of aviation to the deadly warplanes of [[World War II]].
* The 1972 [[Scooby Doo]] episode "The Ghost Of The Red Baron" (crossover with [[The Three Stooges|the Three Stooges]]) had bi-planes all over the place, one of which, airborne, had Velma in the cockpit--and she doesn't know how to operate it.
* The 1972 [[Scooby Doo]] episode "The Ghost Of The Red Baron" (crossover with [[the Three Stooges]]) had bi-planes all over the place, one of which, airborne, had Velma in the cockpit--and she doesn't know how to operate it.




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** While their twelve second flight is the most famous, they actually made four flights that day, with the longest lasting a full 59 seconds.
** While their twelve second flight is the most famous, they actually made four flights that day, with the longest lasting a full 59 seconds.
** Though the Wright Brothers are generally accepted as the inventors of heavier-than-air flight, the title has historically been contested by Samuel Pierpont Langley, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Gustave Whitehead, and others. Please see [[Those Magnificent Flying Machines/Analysis|this trope's Analysis page]] for more.
** Though the Wright Brothers are generally accepted as the inventors of heavier-than-air flight, the title has historically been contested by Samuel Pierpont Langley, Alberto Santos-Dumont, Gustave Whitehead, and others. Please see [[Those Magnificent Flying Machines/Analysis|this trope's Analysis page]] for more.
* [[Leonardo Da Vinci]] dreamed up a whole range of Magnificent Flying Machines, including human-powered ornithopters and corkscrew helicopters.
* [[Leonardo da Vinci]] dreamed up a whole range of Magnificent Flying Machines, including human-powered ornithopters and corkscrew helicopters.
* [http://www.redbullflugtagusa.com/ Red Bull Flutag] showcases some hilarious, inefficient, ineffective but ultimately awesome "flying" machines.
* [http://www.redbullflugtagusa.com/ Red Bull Flutag] showcases some hilarious, inefficient, ineffective but ultimately awesome "flying" machines.
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h6BzNwACDs This clip] presents black-and-white stock footage that includes several silly airplanes and helicopters failing (two examples at the beginning, then more about halfway through).
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0h6BzNwACDs This clip] presents black-and-white stock footage that includes several silly airplanes and helicopters failing (two examples at the beginning, then more about halfway through).
* A working, human-powered [[wikipedia:Ornithopter|ornithopter]] was built by University of [[Toronto]] post-graduate students and [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/university-of-toronto-students-make-history-with-human-powered-flight/article1719728/ flown successfully in August 2010] (though earlier flights can contest the "world's first" claim in the article, this is likely the most successful, and elaborate, design used so far). Interestingly, the design was created using [[Leonardo Da Vinci]]'s sketches as an early starting point, though the final product looks nothing like his work (but no less impressive in flight for that).
* A working, human-powered [[wikipedia:Ornithopter|ornithopter]] was built by University of [[Toronto]] post-graduate students and [http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/university-of-toronto-students-make-history-with-human-powered-flight/article1719728/ flown successfully in August 2010] (though earlier flights can contest the "world's first" claim in the article, this is likely the most successful, and elaborate, design used so far). Interestingly, the design was created using [[Leonardo da Vinci]]'s sketches as an early starting point, though the final product looks nothing like his work (but no less impressive in flight for that).
* An annual festival in Japan<ref>Can someone provide link? Google isn't very helpful right now.</ref> brings together man-powered contraptions to essentially leap off a cliff together in their pursuit of flight. Success is measured in distance and seconds, but isn't the sole criteria; points are given for design originality and sheer ballsiness.
* An annual festival in Japan<ref>Can someone provide link? Google isn't very helpful right now.</ref> brings together man-powered contraptions to essentially leap off a cliff together in their pursuit of flight. Success is measured in distance and seconds, but isn't the sole criteria; points are given for design originality and sheer ballsiness.
* A series of 3-dimensional models in the Chinook Mall (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are this. They're suspended from a track which they periodically move around.
* A series of 3-dimensional models in the Chinook Mall (Calgary, Alberta, Canada) are this. They're suspended from a track which they periodically move around.
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