JoãO Torto
Failed Aviation Attempt
CLASSIFICATION: Murder
LOCATION
Viseu, Portugal
TIME PERIOD
June 20, 1540
VICTIMS
1 confirmed
On 20 June 1540, João de Almeida Torto, a Portuguese man, attempted to fly from the top of Viseu Cathedral using a self-designed flying apparatus. At approximately 5 AM, Torto jumped from the cathedral's roof, drawing a large crowd in the square below. His apparatus, resembling a biplane with wings made of cloth, malfunctioned during the descent, leading to a crash landing on the roof of the nearby Chapel of São Luis before he fell to the ground. Torto sustained severe injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, and lost consciousness for two hours; he ultimately succumbed to his injuries two days later. The incident has since been regarded as a legendary tale of early aviation, with Torto being referred to as the "protomartyr of aviation."
João Torto is believed by some to have been a visionary ahead of his time, with theories suggesting that his flight attempt was not only a personal ambition but also a reflection of the human spirit's quest for innovation. Some speculate that his design was influenced by the ideas of flight that were beginning to emerge in Europe, positioning him as a precursor to modern aviation pioneers. Others view his story as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the fine line between genius and madness, particularly in light of his wife's concerns about his mental state before the flight.
The Flight of João Torto: A Tale of Ambition and Tragedy
In the early hours of June 20, 1540, the city of Viseu, Portugal, witnessed an extraordinary spectacle that promised to defy the limits of human capability. João de Almeida Torto, a man of varied talents, stood on the precipice of Viseu Cathedral, poised to challenge the heavens with an invention of his own making. Onlookers gathered in the cathedral square, their hearts filled with anticipation and incredulity at the announcement that had circulated through the city. Torto, a nurse, barber surgeon, astrologer, and schoolmaster, had proclaimed his intention to fly from the cathedral tower to the Field of São Mateus using a contraption of his design.
The Visionary and His Dream
João Torto's ambitious plan was not just a flight of fancy. With a crier's proclamation, he had promised the citizens of Viseu "the wonder of wonders," a spectacle where a man would soar with wings of cloth. This bold declaration captivated the imagination of the people and set the stage for what would become a legendary tale. Torto's creation was a biplane-like apparatus, featuring two pairs of wings with the lower set smaller than the upper. The wings were constructed with wooden spars and calico cloth, connected by metal hoops through which João inserted his arms. A leather strap secured the contraption to his torso, while hinged joints at the back allowed him to flap or glide. Completing his avian transformation, Torto donned an eagle-shaped helmet with a beak and wore boots with triple soles to cushion his landing.
The Doubts and Preparations
Despite his meticulous preparations, not everyone shared Torto's confidence. His wife, deeply concerned that her husband had lost his sanity, sought the intervention of the local tribune. She insisted that Torto prepare a last will and testament, ensuring that his lands and holdings would pass to her since they had no children. Thus, on the appointed day, she chose to watch from the doorway of a chapel—anachronistically referred to as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Remedies, though it had not yet been constructed—bracing herself for the worst.
The Fateful Attempt
As dawn broke over Viseu, a crowd assembled to witness the unprecedented event. João Torto, undeterred by the skeptics, used a rope and pulley to hoist his flying machine to the top of the cathedral tower. At precisely 5 a.m., he launched himself into the air. Initial moments of the flight seemed promising as Torto glided forward, but disaster soon struck. One of his wings failed, and the bird helmet slipped over his eyes, sending him into a spiraling descent. He crashed onto the roof of the Chapel of São Luis, then to the ground below. Unconscious, with a dislocated shoulder and a missing shoe, João Torto regained consciousness two hours later but succumbed to his injuries a few days thereafter.
The Legacy and Controversy
The story of João Torto's ill-fated flight was later chronicled in the local newspaper Comércio de Viseu in 1922 and subsequently in O Século in 1927. These accounts reportedly drew from ancient documents held by Fr. Henrique Cid, a parish priest in the late 19th century. However, these writings have been criticized for their lack of historical accuracy. In the 1960s, historian Alexandre de Lucena e Vale dismissed these accounts as "literary trifles," noting the absence of corroborating sources or mentions in contemporary records.
Despite the skepticism surrounding its veracity, the tale of João Torto endures. He is fondly remembered as the "protomartyr of aviation" or the "modern Icarus," a testament to human ambition and the eternal pursuit of flight.
Sources
For a deeper dive into the legend of João Torto, explore the following sources:
- Maia, Samuel. "O primeiro aviador português: quem foi?" Arquivo Nacional, 1933.
- Correia, Alberto. "João Torto – um aventureiro do ar." Jornal do Centro, 2011.
- Lucena e Vale, Alexandre. "Da toponímia local aos escritos do Padre Cid." Beira Alta, 1969.
- Pipa, Ana Isabel Sá Ferreira. "A investigação historiográfica e do património histórico-arqueológico na região de Viseu." Doctoral thesis, Universidade Aberta, 2017.
For the original Wikipedia article, visit: Wikipedia - João Torto
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Attempted Flight
João Torto jumps from Viseu Cathedral with a flying apparatus.
Malfunction and Crash
Torto's wings malfunctioned, causing him to crash onto the roof of a chapel.
Death from Injuries
João Torto succumbs to injuries sustained from the crash.
Incident Published
Local newspaper Comércio de Viseu publishes details of Torto's flight attempt.
Further Publication
O Século publishes additional accounts of João Torto's flight attempt.
Historical Critique
Historian Alexandre de Lucena e Vale critiques earlier accounts of Torto's flight.
On 20 June 1540, João de Almeida Torto, a Portuguese man, attempted to fly from the top of Viseu Cathedral using a self-designed flying apparatus. At approximately 5 AM, Torto jumped from the cathedral's roof, drawing a large crowd in the square below. His apparatus, resembling a biplane with wings made of cloth, malfunctioned during the descent, leading to a crash landing on the roof of the nearby Chapel of São Luis before he fell to the ground. Torto sustained severe injuries, including a dislocated shoulder, and lost consciousness for two hours; he ultimately succumbed to his injuries two days later. The incident has since been regarded as a legendary tale of early aviation, with Torto being referred to as the "protomartyr of aviation."
João Torto is believed by some to have been a visionary ahead of his time, with theories suggesting that his flight attempt was not only a personal ambition but also a reflection of the human spirit's quest for innovation. Some speculate that his design was influenced by the ideas of flight that were beginning to emerge in Europe, positioning him as a precursor to modern aviation pioneers. Others view his story as a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and the fine line between genius and madness, particularly in light of his wife's concerns about his mental state before the flight.
The Flight of João Torto: A Tale of Ambition and Tragedy
In the early hours of June 20, 1540, the city of Viseu, Portugal, witnessed an extraordinary spectacle that promised to defy the limits of human capability. João de Almeida Torto, a man of varied talents, stood on the precipice of Viseu Cathedral, poised to challenge the heavens with an invention of his own making. Onlookers gathered in the cathedral square, their hearts filled with anticipation and incredulity at the announcement that had circulated through the city. Torto, a nurse, barber surgeon, astrologer, and schoolmaster, had proclaimed his intention to fly from the cathedral tower to the Field of São Mateus using a contraption of his design.
The Visionary and His Dream
João Torto's ambitious plan was not just a flight of fancy. With a crier's proclamation, he had promised the citizens of Viseu "the wonder of wonders," a spectacle where a man would soar with wings of cloth. This bold declaration captivated the imagination of the people and set the stage for what would become a legendary tale. Torto's creation was a biplane-like apparatus, featuring two pairs of wings with the lower set smaller than the upper. The wings were constructed with wooden spars and calico cloth, connected by metal hoops through which João inserted his arms. A leather strap secured the contraption to his torso, while hinged joints at the back allowed him to flap or glide. Completing his avian transformation, Torto donned an eagle-shaped helmet with a beak and wore boots with triple soles to cushion his landing.
The Doubts and Preparations
Despite his meticulous preparations, not everyone shared Torto's confidence. His wife, deeply concerned that her husband had lost his sanity, sought the intervention of the local tribune. She insisted that Torto prepare a last will and testament, ensuring that his lands and holdings would pass to her since they had no children. Thus, on the appointed day, she chose to watch from the doorway of a chapel—anachronistically referred to as the Chapel of Our Lady of the Remedies, though it had not yet been constructed—bracing herself for the worst.
The Fateful Attempt
As dawn broke over Viseu, a crowd assembled to witness the unprecedented event. João Torto, undeterred by the skeptics, used a rope and pulley to hoist his flying machine to the top of the cathedral tower. At precisely 5 a.m., he launched himself into the air. Initial moments of the flight seemed promising as Torto glided forward, but disaster soon struck. One of his wings failed, and the bird helmet slipped over his eyes, sending him into a spiraling descent. He crashed onto the roof of the Chapel of São Luis, then to the ground below. Unconscious, with a dislocated shoulder and a missing shoe, João Torto regained consciousness two hours later but succumbed to his injuries a few days thereafter.
The Legacy and Controversy
The story of João Torto's ill-fated flight was later chronicled in the local newspaper Comércio de Viseu in 1922 and subsequently in O Século in 1927. These accounts reportedly drew from ancient documents held by Fr. Henrique Cid, a parish priest in the late 19th century. However, these writings have been criticized for their lack of historical accuracy. In the 1960s, historian Alexandre de Lucena e Vale dismissed these accounts as "literary trifles," noting the absence of corroborating sources or mentions in contemporary records.
Despite the skepticism surrounding its veracity, the tale of João Torto endures. He is fondly remembered as the "protomartyr of aviation" or the "modern Icarus," a testament to human ambition and the eternal pursuit of flight.
Sources
For a deeper dive into the legend of João Torto, explore the following sources:
- Maia, Samuel. "O primeiro aviador português: quem foi?" Arquivo Nacional, 1933.
- Correia, Alberto. "João Torto – um aventureiro do ar." Jornal do Centro, 2011.
- Lucena e Vale, Alexandre. "Da toponímia local aos escritos do Padre Cid." Beira Alta, 1969.
- Pipa, Ana Isabel Sá Ferreira. "A investigação historiográfica e do património histórico-arqueológico na região de Viseu." Doctoral thesis, Universidade Aberta, 2017.
For the original Wikipedia article, visit: Wikipedia - João Torto
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
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Attempted Flight
João Torto jumps from Viseu Cathedral with a flying apparatus.
Malfunction and Crash
Torto's wings malfunctioned, causing him to crash onto the roof of a chapel.
Death from Injuries
João Torto succumbs to injuries sustained from the crash.
Incident Published
Local newspaper Comércio de Viseu publishes details of Torto's flight attempt.
Further Publication
O Século publishes additional accounts of João Torto's flight attempt.
Historical Critique
Historian Alexandre de Lucena e Vale critiques earlier accounts of Torto's flight.