Inertial Propulsion Devices: A Review

Abstract

Google Scholar produces about 278 hits for the term “inertial propulsion”. If patents are also included, the number of hits increases to 536. This paper discusses, in a critical way, some characteristic aspects of this controversial topic. The review starts with the halteres of athletes in the Olympic games of ancient times and then continues with some typical devices which have been developed and/or patented from the second quarter of the twentieth century to the present day.