Levitation is one of the grails of science and magic. For magic it is the ‘wow’ factor but for science it has some interesting potential applications.
Recent reports have indicated that scientists have now discovered the secret of levitation, albeit on the micro level. Physicists say that they can now create “incredible levitation effects” by manipulating the Casimir force. This is the force which normally causes objects to stick together by quantum force.
According to Professor Ulf Leonhardt and Dr. Thomas Philbin from Saint Andrews University, this phenomenon can improve everything from car airbags to computer chips.
Casimir force was first discovered in 1948 and first measured in 1997. According to the article, the application of this force is demonstrated by a gecko’s ability to stick to a surface with just one toe.
The scientists now claim that they can reverse the Casimir force to cause objects to repel each other in a vacuum.
“The Casimir force is the ultimate cause of friction in the nano world, in particular in some micro-electromechanical systems,” said Leonhardt, writing in the August issue of New Journal of Physics.”Micro or nano machines could run smoother and with less or no friction at all if one can manipulate the force. In order to reduce friction in the nanoworld, turning nature’s stickiness into repulsion could be the ultimate remedy. Instead of sticking together, parts of micromachinery would levitate.”
Professor Leonhardt emphasised this is currently only possible for nano devices, but said the principle could be used to levitate people — although this was a long way into the future. Continue reading »
From far back in history, the world has heard strange stories about Indian Yogi’s and their strange mystical abilities. People coming back from the Indian colony came with eye-witness reports of these mysterious feats. Perhaps the most widely reported one is that of levitation.
Is it possible for human beings to levitate? Don’t miss the video at the end of this article.
On the 6th June 1936, P.Y. Plunkett of the Illustrated London News, along with 150 other people witnessed the Yogi Pullavar levitate in the air for about 4 minutes. The feat took place on a sunny, clear day and in an open, unobscured area. Plunkett was permitted to photograph the proceedings.
The Yogi’s assistants set up a small tent in the open area and Pullavar ritualistically poured a circle of water around the perimeter of the tent. Adding to the religious overtones, shoes were not allowed inside the circle. Yogi Pullaver then entered the tent and after several minutes, his attendants removed the tent revealing the Yogi suspended horizontally in the air, several feet from the ground.
Pullaver appeared to be in a trance state and the only evidence of support was his outstretched hand resting on top of a cloth covered walking stick. Witnesses told that it was evident that the Yogi did not exert much pressure on the stick.
The audience was invited to see the spectacle from close up. Many photo’s were taken and they checked for strings, props or anything else which may be responsible for his suspension. they found nothing.
After four minutes, the attendants re-erected the tent around the Yogi. They said that this was to shield him as he made his descent. Plunkett reported that he could see the outline of the guru through the tent. He noted that the Yogi swayed gently for a short time before sinking slowly to a horizontal position on the ground.
When the tent was again removed, Yogi Pullaver was seen lying on the ground in a deep trance. Volunteers were then asked to try and bend his arms and legs. Plunckett reported that they were unable to do so as his limbs appeared to be locked into their positions. Continue reading »
“I have discovered the secrets of the pyramids, and have found out how the Egyptians and the ancient builders in Peru, Yucatan, and Asia, with only primitive tools, raised and set in place blocks of stone weighing many tons!” So said Latvian immigrant, Edward Leedskalnin with only a fourth-grade education.
Did this eccentric recluse discover the secrets of levitation and anti-gravity, or did he merely discover or rediscover the secret to engineering? Whatever the answer, Edward Leedskalnin did prove that he possessed unexplained skills by building Coral Castle in Homestead, Florida, by hand and alone.
Coral Castle has been linked in importance to the greatest engineering feats in the world: the Pyraminds of Giza, Aztec monuments, Stonehenge and others. One question however, persists: How did he do it?
Edward Leedskalnin
According to Edward Leedskalnin, he was jilted by his 16-year-old fiancée Agnes Scuffs in Latvia, just one day before the wedding. Leaving for America, he came down with terminal tuberculosis but spontaneously healed, stating that magnets had some effect on his disease.
Hoping to impress his ex-fiancée, he embarked on an ambitious scheme to build Coral Castle. He spent over 28 years building the structure alone in secret, refusing to allow anyone to see him work. Unfortunately all this work did not have the intended effect – he died unmarried.
Leedskalnin originally built the castle, which he named Rock Gate Park, in Florida City, FL around 1923. In 1936 however, he moved to Homestead – along with the entire castle. No-one knows the exact reason why he decided to move, but it often said that he wanted to protect his privacy when discussion about developing land in the area of the castle started. Another rumour was that he left after being badly beaten by a group of hooligans looking to rob him.
Leedskalnin worked constantly on his castle until his death in 1951. During that time he would raise money by charging tourists ten cents a head for the grand tour. There are signs carved into rocks at the front gate to “Ring Bell Twice” and a second sign just inside the property that says “Adm. 10c Drop Below”. He would come down from his living quarters which were the second story of the castle tower and are close to the gate and conduct the tour. Continue reading »
