The Pigeon Pilot
The birds trained to guide missiles by pecking
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Beschreibung
The incredible true story of how B.F. Skinner trained pigeons to pilot missiles by pecking at screens inside the bomb.
"The Pigeon Pilot – The birds trained to guide missiles by pecking" reveals the secret WWII project that was too crazy to be true, yet actually worked. Before electronic guidance systems existed, the US military needed a way to steer bombs. Famous psychologist B.F. Skinner proposed the solution: Pigeons.
Author David Wing describes the "Project Pigeon" (later Project Orcon). Skinner trained pigeons to peck at the image of an enemy ship projected on a screen inside the missile's nose cone. Their pecking mechanically steered the fins. The system was surprisingly accurate and resistant to jamming.
"The Pigeon Pilot" explores the clash between radical science and military conservatism. Although the pigeons were perfect pilots, the generals couldn't stop laughing long enough to authorize the project. It is a story about the limits of innovation when it looks ridiculous.
Autor*in
David Wing
Author
Themen in »The Pigeon Pilot«
Project Pigeon B.F. Skinner WWII Behaviorism Missiles Weird Science Animal Intelligence