I have always admired the poetic flight of a Maple seed pod…here the concept is put to work; http://technabob.com/blog/2011/01/30/helicopter...

Anthony, in light of your username choice… you may already be familiar with this unique penguin-like propulsion, and if not, I think you’ll enjoy it. Cheers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD6OQhCeXqs

(More info: http://www.hobiecat.com/kayaks/features/miraged... )

I’m so fascinated by biomimicry. Thanks for sharing this. Can’t wait to buy some hippo sweat someday :).

Thanks Anthony! Very inspiring!

Still, I would humbly disagree with the opening statement;

“Nature’s been inventing for a few billion years. In that time it has solved some daunting challenges…”

For me, this is to state that “nature” is that of a conscious being or entity of pragmatism…which by it’s own definition, would disqualify it as a candidate of nature.
Likely, I’ve always wondered why it should be held that the survival techniques of nature could survive a billion years to become survivable…

All the same, I am inspired!