JB  <<email>> writes:

Close to two years ago you posted a video link to a "Bauer cart" build by one Jack Goodman and filmed in Florida proceeding directly downwind, powered only by the wind.

Http://ozreport.com/1171647662

This started quite a discussion on your forum regarding the accuracy of said video and whether DDWFTTW (directly downwind faster than the wind) is possible according to the laws of physics.

http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6546

My buddy Rick Cavallaro and I had pondered the problem for sometime (Rick much longer than I) and were familiar with that video and its creator. We've also been involved in the same discussion on many different forums (from Mythbusters to physics forums) with literally hundreds upon hundreds of pages and many thousands of posts. The general tone of all the forums is this: The video is a hoax and a DDWFTTW device would constitute perpetual motion and break every law of physics.

A little over a week ago we got the bug to stop talking and start building (actually "finish building", as Rick hand carved the initial prop a year or so ago). Following is the video of our first small success.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4pgDs50A-Yw&fmt=18

Rather than subject ourselves to the whims of Mom nature, we opted for the treadmill option. As should be obvious to most, if a device can simply hold it's own on a treadmill set at 10 mph in a still air room, that is exactly the same as the device going down the street the same speed as a 10 mph tailwind. Any forward advancement at all up the treadmill has the device actually going DDWFTTW. According to those folks who believe the original video you posted is a hoax, the device should never be able to keep up with the treadmill (meaning 'go the same speed as the wind that's powering it'), let alone advance and beat the wind.

After our above video was posted, other contributors on various forums also began whipping up versions and a small competition broke out to independently verify the results (which has now been done numerous times).

Below is the latest version of our machine -- it's easy to build, light enough to ship cheaply and if folks think we've faked the results in any way I'm open to helping them build one or even shipping mine to them so they can throw it on the treadmill and watch "every law of physics being broken" right before their eyes. If I were to ship my device to someone, I would only ask that they post video, report the results and then return it or pass it on to someone who wishes to repeat the process. There is simply no tricks involved -- simply sailing physics.

Http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjt6G8D4x0k

Incidentally, mostly due to the efforts of Rick, producers at Mythbusters are said to be considering a segment on DDWFTTW. Those familiar with the POAT or 'plane on a treadmill' episode (one of their most watched episodes ever), will see that this topic generates the same sort of instant, strong, and ultimately usually wrong responses.

My comment: What does it mean when you state that the speed of the treadmill is the same as the wind speed and how do you know? See more here: http://ozreport.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6546&start=49