The monk who believed he could fly

In 11th century England, a monk named Eilmer attempted what was likely the first attempt at human flight by jumping off the tower at Malmesbury Abbey with wings attached to his hands and feet.

When Elimer was young he had read and believed in the story of Daedalus, the father of Icarus, who designed wings out of feathers and beeswax to escape their imprisonment on the island of Crete.

As you can imagine, Eilmer did not have a good…time that’s right — “but agitated by the violence of the wind and the swirling of air, as well as by the awareness of his rash attempt, he fell, broke both his legs and was lame ever after.”

When later asked about his failed attempt, Eilmer said he had “forgotten to provide himself with a tail.”

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