Beowulf From Singapore, joined Jul 2003, 721 posts, RR: 15 Reply 5, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2009 times:
O.K., for some strange reason I like bumblebees; so don't say anything bad about them.
Wikipedia has an answer to the question.
"A long-held myth of the bumblebee was that, in terms of theoretical aerodynamics, it did not have the capacity (in terms of wing size or beat per second) to achieve flight with the degree of wing loading necessary. This myth became popular after an aerodynamicist in the 1930s stated that a bumblebee was not capable of flight. The statement was based upon an assumption that the bee's wing could be treated as a static aerofoil. However, in reality the bumblebee's flight is characterized by an oscillating wing that shares more characteristics with a helicopter rotor than an aeroplane wing." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bumblebee
In other words, the bumblebee can fly but not in the sense of an airplane's aerodynamic; it's more like a helicopter.
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 6, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 23 hours ago) and read 2004 times:
Aerobalance From United States of America, joined Sep 2000, 4634 posts, RR: 51 Reply 8, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1978 times:
Thanks for the latest 'buzz' on the bumblebee. Facts that I could not live without....
SlamClick From United States of America, joined Nov 2003, 10062 posts, RR: 71 Reply 9, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 21 hours ago) and read 1966 times:
They may not be able to fly, but they are world-beaters when it comes to jumping.
One of them managed to jump backwards into my neck. I was northbound on a BSA motorcycle going about 80 mph. The bumblebee was either backing southbound or very slowly northbound. In any event, I hit him stinger-first just to the right of my Adam's apple. Most extraordinarly unpleasant.
That was the only time I've ever been stung by a bumblebee. They are very docile, inoffensive critters. They look menacing, but they are okay.
Happiness is not seeing another trite Ste. Maarten photo all week long.
Mir From United States of America, joined Jan 2004, 19813 posts, RR: 56 Reply 11, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1921 times:
Quoting SlamClick (Reply 6): Helicopters don't fly either. They are so ugly they repel the earth.
Technically, I believe it's the earth that repels them....
-Mir
7 billion, one nation, imagination...it's a beautiful day
Gary2880 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 12, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1915 times:
Quoting SlamClick (Reply 9): I hit him stinger-first just to the right of my Adam's apple. Most extraordinarly unpleasant.
I have had that once, unfortunately it was right in the middle of my throte, cant remember how old I was. Very painful indeed. Luckily I wasn't allergic or anything.
Saintsman From United Kingdom, joined Mar 2002, 2065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 13, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 18 hours ago) and read 1904 times:
Quoting Duke (Thread starter): I have read that it is a scientific fact that bumblebees can't fly
Do the bees know that?
Which sort of reminds me.....
The world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make is taking a stroll down his local high street.
As he passes by the record shop, a sign catches his eye.
"Just Released: New LP - Wasps of the World & the sounds that they make - available now!"
Unable to resist the temptation, the man goes into the shop.
"I am the world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make. I'd very much like to listen to the new LP you have advertised in the window."
"Certainly, Sir," says the young man behind the counter. "If you'd like to step into the booth and put on the headphones, I'll put the LP on for you."
The world expert on European wasps goes into the booth and puts on the earphones.
Ten minutes later, he comes out of the booth and announces, "I am the world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make and yet I recognised none of those."
"I'm sorry sir," says the young assistant. "If you'd care to step into the booth, I can let you have another 10 minutes."
The world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make steps back into the booth and replaces the headphones.
Ten minutes later, he comes out of the booth shaking his head.
"I don't understand it," he says, "I am the world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make, and yet I still can't recognise any of those!"
"I'm terribly sorry, sir" says the young man, "perhaps if you'd like to step into the booth again, you could have 5 more minutes."
Sighing, the world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make steps back into the booth.
Five minutes later, he comes out again, clearly agitated.
"I am the world expert on European wasps and the sounds that they make and yet I have recognised none of the wasps on this LP."
"I really am terribly sorry," says the young assistant. "I've just realised I was playing you the bee side."
Wukka From United States of America, joined Jan 2005, 1013 posts, RR: 17 Reply 14, posted (7 years 7 months 1 week 6 days 9 hours ago) and read 1866 times:
Book I read years ago... I think it's part of a series, "Bees Can't Fly but they Do". Bunch of neat trivia that's not only about the aerodynamics of bees.
I could get you the author and whatnot, but "Wukkas are too Lazy".
Sponsor Message: 
From Canada, joined Sep 1999, 1138 posts, 
From United States of America, joined May 2000, 19737 posts, 
From United Kingdom, joined May 2004, 6225 posts, 
From Germany, joined Jul 2001, 20901 posts, 
From Mexico, joined Mar 2005, 1741 posts, 
From Singapore, joined Jul 2003, 721 posts, 
From Ireland, joined Oct 2005, 687 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
