Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
grapes, celebrate holidays with blue carnations, or
simply drink juices enhanced with vitamins.
This project may be seen akin to the bio-inspired
way of thinking that change the way people develop
new technologies in the fields of computing, soft-
ware management, material science and material
design, resource management, developments in
computer technologies, and many other fields. The
use of bio-inspired ways for bringing into being new
forms results in designing new applications and
devices. One of the solutions is translation of form
to function, often discussed in terms of the 'form
follows function' approach. For example, studying
a symmetrical makeup of the wings might support
developments in flying machines. Another approach
is in translation of biological data to material sci-
ence: creating materials that function in a similar
way as in living beings. Also, inventors attempt to
imitate structures that can be seen in nature and
create materials that respond to external stimuli
such as optical fibers, liquid crystals, or structures
that scatter light. Yet another way is to combine
biomaterials with artificial ones to create hybrid
materials and technologies (National Research
Council, 2008).
While working on this project you may want
to construct different levels of departure from the
earthly laws. People have always wanted to have
skills and abilities possessed by animal creatures.
One of the everlasting human dreams is a flying
ability, which we envy the birds, bats, insects, and
any other flying animals. The myth of Icarus or the
flying machines designed by Leonardo da Vinci
reveal this dream. (According to Ovid and Appol-
lodorus, Icarus - the son of the master craftsman
Daedalus took flight from imprisonment on Crete
wearing wings that his father constructed from
feathers and wax. In spite of his father's warning
he flew too close to the sun. The sun melted his
wings and caused him to fall into the sea and drown.
Figure 11 presents, with a view from two sides,
a clay sculpture illustrating a story entitled “Man
and Animal”:
As for humans, there was always a want for flying.
According to old myths, they tried to escape on
wings as they tried to prove their ability. There is
something to think about the fact that birds can
fly. Fish can fly, perhaps humans also could fly.
Not so well, yet they can.
And so, they say that who one keeps company of
birds for a long enough time develops the power
and endurance of a bird. Many joined the birds,
in spite of all the differences.
The flock lived in a collective, hierarchical, and
rigorous way. The most unique and important
moments happened when the birds lifted from the
ground. Those who belonged to mankind stayed
aground following the birds with their eyes for a
long time. For this reason, many decided to join
penguins.
See Table 1 for Your Visual Response.
Figure 11. Anna Ursyn, “Man and Animal” (© 1999, A. Ursyn. Used with permission)
