Abstract: It is well known that falling cats usually land on their feet and, moreover, that they can manage to do so even if released from complete rest while upside-down. This phenomenon has given rise to questions of Dynamics as well as Physiology, and these have received attention in the literature of both fields [1-7]. In particular, numerous attempts have been made to discover a relatively simple mechanical system whose motion, when proceeding in accordance with the laws of Dynamics, possesses the salient features of the motion of the falling cat. The present paper constitutes such an attempt. (By T. R. KANE and M. P. SCHE)

(pdf of paper)

Found via Fresh Photons via Guardian.