Aqua Glider Underwater Toy

This underwater pool toy rises to the surface, rather than sinks. Put it one foot down and it goes about ten feet across; put it three feet down and it goes about thirty feet across.

It's the first variation of Archimedes' principle in 2,500 years, and took me over 5,000 trials to get it right. Inspired by John McPhee's well-known "Deltoid Pumpkin Seed" book. Search my site for airborne version (formerly called "Waterwing"), and where this has led (Google "hyperblimp" especially if you like novel aviation ideas).

Meanwhile, kids do seem to love this toy, which makes me happy, as I taught elementary school for twenty years and loved working with kids.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• pool toy
• underwater toy
• underwater glider
• buoyancy
• Archimedes
• summer toy
• kid toy
• educational toy

[danielgeery]

It rises on buoyancy, but the shape drives it forward or in different directions, depending on fin configuration. Archimedes' principle revisited.

[EuroPowa]

No batteries, explain.