FASTER THAN THE WIND
BY ERIC CHU
Illustration by James Provost
Is it possible to build a wind-powered vehicle that travels directly downwind, faster than the wind, continuously? Rick Cavallaro posed this question as a brainteaser on an internet forum in 2006. His own vector analysis showed that it was possible, but the question went viral, with naysayers expressing doubt on numerous online forums and even in the pages of this magazine.
After years of controversy, Cavallaro and his friend John Borton decided to build a cart that would put all doubts to rest. Drawing design ideas from R/C helicopter enthusiast Mark Conroy, they built a downwind ...
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