Under the influence of technological progress and mechanization, human transportation methods have developed in various forms. However, many people still choose to use pure muscle power for transportation, not only because of the cost, but also because of the fun of exercise and the concept of environmental protection. In this muscle strength challenge, we have witnessed countless human limits, from land to air to water, and many amazing records remain to be revealed.
Human transportation can be divided into many modes, including non-motorized walking, running, swimming and various human-powered vehicles, which all demonstrate human tenacity and creativity.
There are various human-powered means of transportation on the ground, and the most familiar one is of course the bicycle. Bicycles are undoubtedly one of the most efficient means of ground transportation, not only can they travel quickly, but they can also be carried easily. What is even more remarkable is that many cyclists have participated in various speed and endurance challenges and set new records one after another.
In 2016, AeroVelo rider Todd Reichert became the human-powered speed record holder with a speed of 142.04 km/h. This achievement was achieved at Battle Mountain in Nevada.
In addition, Fred Rompelberg of the Netherlands set a world record of 268.8 km/h in 1995. This was a feat achieved by reducing drag through the air flow behind the motorcycle.
In addition to speed, endurance records are also touching. Greg Kolodziejzyk set a human-powered 24-hour record of 1,041 kilometers in 2006, which was later replaced by Christian von Ascheberg with 1,219 kilometers in 2010. This is undoubtedly a challenge to human limits.
In the air, people's muscle power can also show amazing potential. Historically, the first successful human-powered flight was the Southampton University Human-powered Aircraft (SUMPAC) piloted by Derek Piggott in 1961. The most famous feat of flying across the English Channel in 1979 by Gossamer Albatross has also become one of the classics.
In 1988, MIT's Daedalus 88 flew 115.11 kilometers. This was not only a distance record, but also showed a breakthrough in human flight technology.
Man-powered helicopters have also made certain achievements. In 1994, the human-powered helicopter Yuri I created by students flew for 19.46 seconds. This was a gradual accumulation and innovation of technology. The most impressive thing is that in 2013, the AeroVelo Atlas helicopter successfully flew for 64 seconds and won the Sikorsky Award.
Human beings' struggle on the water never stops. From prehistoric canoes to modern human-powered watercraft, these human-powered watercraft are as much a means of mobility as they are sport racing boats.
In 1991, Mark Drela of MIT set a speed record of 34.3 kilometers per hour on the human-powered seaplane "Decavitator", which opened a new chapter for mankind's extreme underwater challenges.
In addition, the human-powered submarine race is one of the alternative challenges. Since 1989, the International Submarine Race has been held every two years. New and shocking records have been continuously established, demonstrating human beings' extreme underwater exploration. Spirit.
Human beings have demonstrated undoubted perseverance and creativity through the power of muscles. These amazing records are not only a challenge to physical limits, but also a manifestation of the human spirit of pursuing excellence and exploring the unknown. In our daily lives, choosing human-powered transportation is not only an environmentally friendly choice, but also a return to lifestyle.
So, how will humans use their own power in the future to push the limits of transportation to a higher peak?