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2005-01-12 -Short Attention Span Theater-

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Posted by trailing wife 2005-01-12 3:19:33 PM|| || Front Page|| [2 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 In those days religion was the playing firled of the ignorany. The execution or imprisionment of various personalities who were seekers of knowledge was endemic in the body politic of the time :

BARTOLOMEU DE GUSMÃO

Father Bartolomeu de GusmÃ£o, a Jesuit priest, was a major figure in aerostatics and is renowned for the bird-shaped balloon he built and which was named "Passarola".

On 8 August 1709, in âCasa da Indiaâ, GusmÃ£o made a hot-air filled paper balloon ascent 4 meters in the presence of the court, the Ambassadors, and religious dignitaries, among whom was Cardinal Conti (later Pope Innocent XIII). The hot air was produced by âfire burning in a clay bowl nested in a wooden tray at the bottom of the balloon.â Fearing that the curtains would catch fire, the servants destroyed the balloon, but the experiment was a success.

Bartolomeu de GusmÃ£o proceeded with his experiments with larger balloons and the legend has it that eventually he himself flew a balloon which was launched from St. Jorge Castle, on top of one of Lisbonâs seven hills, covered 1 km, and crashed in Terreiro do PaÃ§o. This bird-shaped balloon was to become known as the âPassarolaâ, but following this feat, GusmÃ£oâs fortunes seemed to have waned. Intrigue and jealousy made him fall from grace and, when he was black-listed by the Inquisition, he found sanctuary with the Jesuits who sent him to Spain in 1724, where he eventually died in total destitution.

In modern times it is the athiest academics who are the troublesome ones like those who will not allow non-athiests into their university courses...

Full circle in 400 years...

Posted by BigEd 2005-01-12 4:37:48 PM|| 2005-01-12 4:37:48 PM|| Front Page Top

#2 In those days religion was the playing field of the ignorant

Posted by BigEd 2005-01-12 4:38:45 PM|| 2005-01-12 4:38:45 PM|| Front Page Top

#3 Belaclava was lost on the playing fields of Eaton.

Posted by Shipman 2005-01-12 6:13:59 PM|| 2005-01-12 6:13:59 PM|| Front Page Top

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