Introduction

To write about the (early) history of entry vehicles is by no means as rewarding as writing about the history of flight, or in general terms, flying. Who has not heard the tale of Daedalus and Icarus in Greek mythology? Daedalus was a skilful craftsman and artisan, who had constructed the famous Labyrinth of Knossos in Crete to contain the gruesome minotaur. To prevent his knowledge of his Labyrinth from spreading to the public, King Minos had locked Daedalus in a tower. Since Minos controlled the land and sea routes, Daedalus could not escape from Crete and began to construct wings for himself and his young son, Icarus. As discussed in detail in the Metamorphoses, one of the works of the Roman poet Ovid (born 43 B.C.), Daedalus tied feathers together, from smallest to largest so as to form an increasing surface.