Hum Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 BRITISH Rail planned to transport passengers by FLYING SAUCER, it was revealed yesterday. Bosses even patented the 'Space Vehicle' in 1973 to stop the idea being nicked. Inventor Charles Osmond Frederick reckoned the nuclear-powered saucer-shaped craft would be cheap to run ? and super-fast. But today's experts say it would never get off the ground as the proposed fusion power system doesn't actually exist. The detailed plans, showing seats on an upper deck, were found on the European Patent Office website by a student. He said: "It looks just like something from a science fiction comic." Michel van Baal, of the European Space Agency, said: "I doubt whether it would ever be practical." But Prof Colin Pillinger, who led the failed Beagle 2 Mars mission, called the plans "fascinating." The patent lapsed because renewal fees were not paid. source Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Japlabot Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 just shows how stupid patents are because anyone can get a patent without actually having a proof of concept. What if they held onto the patent and then someone actually did make a Flying Saucer? Then the real inventers wouldn't own it. There is prior work anyway :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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