Science Online Force

Victorian Flea Circuses: A Lost Art Form "QUANTUM SHOT" #549Link - by A. Abrams If you can make a flea cooperate with you, you're probably good at politics I have to say, this is probably the strangest subject we ever talked about on Dark Roasted Blend. However, it is such a rich showcase of miniature art and craftmanship, and the "wow" factor is there as well: A flea, with legs finer than a human hair, can pull up to 700 times its own weight! (art credit: Leah Palmer Preiss) "Big fleas have little fleas... Andy Clark sends us his latest project - he's been researching this topic for about four years now and regularly publishes new discoveries along with other flea news on the Flea Circus Research Library blog. "The idea to make a Victorian Flea Chariot came to me when I wondered if it's possible to use simple techniques available in the 1800s to make one today. The chariot is approx 10mm long by 7mm wide and made from brass; the wheels are 5mm in diameter. Making the chariot can be seen here, with video of a final product. ...