{"id":4745,"date":"2010-02-03T08:12:31","date_gmt":"2010-02-02T22:12:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/power-up.space\/?p=4745"},"modified":"2010-02-03T08:12:31","modified_gmt":"2010-02-02T22:12:31","slug":"houdini-done-it-%e2%80%93-or-did-he","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.impulsegamer.com\/wordpress\/?p=4745","title":{"rendered":"Houdini done it \u2013 or did he?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Houdini done it \u2013 or did he?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2010 marks the centenary of powered flight in Australia, or does it? On Thursday 18 March the engine from what is believed to have been the first aircraft to fly in Australia will go on display at Scienceworks, highlighting the achievement, drama and controversy of early flight in Australia. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The engine will be on display in Going Places: The Technology of Transport<\/em>, an exhibition that explores how science makes it possible to fly, float and cover vast distances as we move around the globe. Going Places<\/em> includes a flight simulator and hands-on exhibits focusing on airships and airport security.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe story surrounding early flight in Australia is a tale of trial, error, skulduggery, showbiz and big egos,\u201d said David Crotty, Museum Victoria\u2019s Curator, Engineering and Transport.<\/p>\n

On 9 December 1909, English racing driver Colin Defries piloted a Wright Model A airplane, (named \u2018The Stella\u2019 after Defries\u2019 wife) travelling approximately 100 yards (91m). The flight was witnessed and reported by several reliable sources, but was not officially recognised.<\/p>\n

Australia\u2019s first official flight is instead credited to the famous magician and escape artist Harry Houdini who, while on tour through Victoria, flew a Voisin biplane at Digger\u2019s Rest on 18 March, 1910.<\/p>\n

Defries\u2019 airplane was lost when its owner, Lawrence Adamson, dumped it at sea off Port Phillip Bay to avoid paying a hefty customs fee. The Wright\u2019s engine and its two propellers were salvaged in late 1910.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe engine from Defries\u2019 aeroplane is one of the most significant aeronautical artefacts in the Museum Victoria\u2019s collections,\u201d said Crotty.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile it\u2019s not possible to definitively answer the question of whether Defries\u2019 was the first Australian flight, the Houdini centenary is a fitting occasion at least to recognise Defries\u2019 effort,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

The display at Scienceworks joins celebrations across Museum Victoria marking the centenary of flight:<\/p>\n