I saw this video a couple of weeks ago and I thought it was cool. Filmed in 1910, The acrobatic fly is a silent short film made by Percy F. Smith (1880-1945).1
The 3-minute film shows a fly glued by its back to a podium and positioned so its legs point to the sky. The fly then grabs, flips, and rotates various objects placed in its grip, including a blade of grass, a small twig, a wine cork, a large ball and another fly. The video shows how strong and dexterous the fly’s legs are. After viewing this video, I think it is easy to imagine how the fly uses its magnificent legs to cling to walls, ceilings and swaying branches in its natural environment.
More information:
- The Bioscope. The dancing bluebottle. Published April 30th 2009, accessed 14th April 2019, available from: https://thebioscope.net/2009/04/30/the-balancing-bluebottle/ for some information about Mr Smith.
- Atlas Obscura. The Shy Edwardian Filmmaker Who Showcased Nature’s Secrets to the World. Published February 21st, 2017. Accessed 14th April 2019. Available from: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/f-percy-smith-nature-films - for some more information about Mr Smith.
- The conversation. why World War 1 cultivated an obsession with insects. published july 21st, 2017. accessed April 14th, 2019. avialable from: http://theconversation.com/why-world-war-i-cultivated-an-obsession-with-insects-80355 Where I first saw The acrobatic fly.