A flying cart during the Imjin War—Was it mere legend, or an early form of flight? This article explores the documented accounts of Joseon Korea’s mysterious “Bigeo” and its place in the history of aviation.
In 1903, the Flyer aircraft designed by the Wright brothers marked the beginning of modern aviation. But centuries earlier, during Korea’s Imjin War (1592–1598), historical records suggest that a man named Jeong Pyeong-gu built and operated a flying machine called the Bigeo (飛車)—translated as “flying vehicle” or “aerial cart.”
Is this just a legend from a bygone era? Or could the Bigeo represent an early and largely forgotten chapter in the global story of flight? This article examines the historical texts referencing the Bigeo, compares it to other ancient flying concepts, and explores the broader scientific culture of Joseon-era Korea.
What Was the Bigeo (飛車)?
The term Bigeo (also known as Bicha) refers to a flying device documented in various Korean scholarly works from the 18th and 19th centuries. Although the term literally means “flying vehicle,” its interpretation varies—from myth to a possible mechanical invention.
We use the term Bigeo throughout, in line with the pronunciation preferred in the writings of Joseon-era scholars.
1. Documentary Evidence of the Bigeo
| Source | Author & Period | Content | Credibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yeoam Jeonseo (“Chaekchaje”) | Shin Gyeong-jun (1712–1781) | Describes Jeong Pyeong-gu using a Bigeo to rescue people from a besieged fortress | High |
| Oju Yeonmun Jangjeon Sango (“Bigeo Byeonjeungseol”) | Yi Gyu-gyeong (early 19th century) | Detailed descriptions of the Bigeo’s structure and propulsion system | High |
| Joseon Eomun Gyeongwi | Gwon Deok-gyu (1923) | Summarizes folk accounts of early Korean flight | Moderate |
| Wae Sagi (Purported Japanese record) | Apocryphal, not historically verified | Mentions Bigeo use in 1592 | Low |
2. Jeong Pyeong-gu: Inventor or Legend?
Jeong Pyeong-gu is recorded as a real historical figure:
- Birth–Death: 1566–1624
- Birthplace: Buyeong-myeon, Gimje, Jeollabuk-do (South Korea)
- Background: Originally pursued civil service, failed the national exam, then entered military service. Served under Admiral Yi Eok-gi and later under General Kim Si-min as a munitions expert during the Imjin War.
His grave still exists, and his name appears in official Korean historical documents, making him a credible individual—possibly capable of creative engineering, especially in military contexts.
3. Reported Design and Operation of the Bigeo
According to Yi Gyu-gyeong’s 19th-century account, the Bigeo operated as follows:
- Structure: Resembled a swan or crested ibis
- Lift Mechanism: Compressed air released from leather bellows created lift, elevating the craft
- Propulsion: Internal levers connected to flapping wings operated by four people
- Altitude: Up to 100 jang (approx. 300 meters)
- Range: Up to 30 ri (approx. 12 kilometers), aided by upward air currents
These features bear a closer resemblance to a glider or human-powered ornithopter than a powered aircraft.
4. Bigeo vs. The Wright Brothers’ Flyer
| Feature | Bigeo (Joseon Korea) | Flyer (Wright Brothers, 1903) |
|---|---|---|
| Time Period | Circa 1592 (textual record) | December 17, 1903 |
| Propulsion | Manual & air-pressure-driven | Gasoline engine with propeller |
| Range | Approx. 12 km | 36.5 m to 259 m |
| Altitude | ~300 m (claimed) | ~3 m |
| Inventor | Jeong Pyeong-gu | Orville & Wilbur Wright |
| Physical Evidence | None (textual only) | Photographs, blueprints, and preserved model |
Although the Bigeo lacks empirical evidence, its mention in serious historical texts and association with a known figure offer a level of credibility not typically afforded to mere myths.
5. Global Visions of Ancient Flight
Ancient Flight Concepts Across Civilizations
While the Bigeo remains one of Korea’s most intriguing flight-related records, it is part of a broader global tradition of imagining human flight long before modern aviation. These visions—mythical or mechanical—reflect humanity’s enduring desire to conquer the skies.
| Civilization | Flying Concept | Period | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| India | Vimana | Ancient Epic Period | Aerial vehicles of gods, mentioned in Vedic texts |
| Greece | Icarus & Daedalus | 8th century BCE | Mythical wings of wax and feathers |
| Islamic World | Abbas Ibn Firnas | 9th century | Attempted glider flight; injured in crash |
| Renaissance Europe | Leonardo da Vinci | 15th century | Mechanical bird wings and vertical screw designs |
| China | Kite-based Human Flight | Ancient to medieval | Kites used for surveillance and experimentation |
Note: The Bigeo is excluded from this table as its authenticity remains undetermined. However, it is among the few pre-modern flying devices described with mechanical detail.
Unlike many of these examples, the Bigeo is described with mechanical detail and linked to a real historical figure, Jeong Pyeong-gu. This gives it a unique place in the global imagination of flight.
6. Joseon’s Mechanical Engineering Achievements
| Invention | Inventor | Purpose | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagyeokru (Water Clock) | Jang Yeong-sil | Automated timekeeping | First known mechanical time bell system |
| Honcheonui (Armillary Sphere) | Royal astronomers | Celestial modeling | Sophisticated gearwork and planetary tracking |
| Cheugugi (Rain Gauge) | King Sejong’s court | Measuring rainfall | World’s first meteorological measuring tool |
| Hwacha | Choe Mu-seon’s legacy | Rocket launcher | Early form of multi-rocket artillery |
| Geobukseon (Turtle Ship) | Admiral Yi Sun-sin | Ironclad naval vessel | Advanced defense and attack at sea |
| Bigeo (Flying Vehicle) | Jeong Pyeong-gu | Aerial transport | Technologically speculative but textually supported |
7. Significance of the Bigeo
The Bigeo stands at the crossroads of myth, science, and military ingenuity. Even if its full realization cannot be verified, the concept reflects a remarkable convergence of:
- Mechanical imagination and wartime necessity
- Scientific curiosity documented by Joseon scholars
- Joseon Korea’s broader culture of technological innovation
It shows that Korea’s scientific tradition not only observed the heavens and built automated clocks, but also dared to imagine the skies as a navigable domain.
Joseon’s Scientific Culture: A Fertile Ground for Innovation
The Bigeo did not emerge in isolation. Joseon Korea fostered a vibrant scientific culture that blended Confucian scholarship with practical engineering. From water clocks and rain gauges to astronomical instruments and naval innovations, the era was marked by curiosity and creativity.
“The Bigeo may not have flown, but it proves that Korea’s scientific culture dared to imagine the skies.”
This spirit of invention—documented in texts, not just myths—suggests that Joseon thinkers were not only observing the heavens but also envisioning ways to reach them.
Why the Bigeo Still Matters
In today’s world of drones, space travel, and AI-powered flight systems, revisiting ancient flight concepts like the Bigeo offers more than historical trivia. It reminds us that imagination is the first engine of innovation.
- Cultural Legacy: The Bigeo reflects Korea’s unique blend of myth, science, and military ingenuity.
- Educational Value: It inspires inquiry into how ancient societies approached engineering challenges.
- Global Relevance: It contributes to a more inclusive history of aeronautical thought beyond the West.
Conclusion
While the Bigeo may not dethrone the Wright brothers as the pioneers of powered flight, it challenges us to reconsider the origins of aeronautical thinking. Was it a myth? Perhaps. But perhaps it was also an experiment—one lost to time but preserved in ink.
In a world seeking inspiration from ancient knowledge, the Bigeo represents more than folklore. It is a window into Korea’s scientific heritage and a symbol of its mechanical imagination centuries ahead of its time.
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