DAEDALUS - ICARUS

This is a story about the first materials scientist. In Greek mythology, Daedalus was a wonderful smith, having been instructed by the goddess Athena herself. His richest customer detained Daedalus on the island of Crete so that the one patron alone would enjoy the products of Daedalus' invention. The patron's blandishments included comfortable living and working conditions, and even marriage to a local maiden.

Daedalus wanted to escape with his son Icarus, but all the ships were controlled by his tyrant patron, so that escape by land or water was impossible. "But Daedalus made a pair of wings for himself, and another for Icarus," says this story from Greek oral tradition (1) "the quill feathers of which were threaded together, but the smaller ones held in place by wax. Having tied on Icarus's pair for him, he said with tears in his eyes: 'My son, be warned! Neither soar too high, lest the sun melt the wax; nor swoop too low, lest the feathers be wetted by the sea.' Then he slipped his arms into his own pair of wings and they flew off. 'Follow me closely,' he cried, 'do not set your own course.'

QUESTIONS

1. What do you think a young person would do with its first set of roller blades or its first chemistry set or its first internet connection?

2. Do you think a young person would "follow its father closely, and not set its own course?" Give reasons for your answer, whatever your answer is.

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