First, by the figurations of art there be made instruments…
“First, by the figurations of art there be made instruments of navigation without men to row them, as great ships to brooke the sea, only with one man to steer them, and they shall sail far more swiftly than if they were full of men; also chariots that shall move with unspeakable force without any living creature to stir them. Likewise an instrument may be made to fly withall if one sits in the midst of the instrument, and do turn an engine, by which the wings, being artificially composed, may beat the air after the manner of a flying bird.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage envisions autonomous machines and vehicles powered by human control, foreshadowing modern technology like self‑steering ships and aircraft.
In simple terms: Human‑controlled machines can navigate without crews.
Key Takeaway
Develop autonomous tech with human oversight.
Themes
innovation
technology
automation
Mood
visionary
inquisitive
Type
speculative
technological
When to use this quote
- maritime travel
- aircraft design
- engineering
- future tech
Key Concepts
autonomous navigation
human‑machine interface
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure safety in autonomous systems?
- What role should humans play in future machines?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on human control may limit full autonomy.