Wan Hu

Lore & Background

According to the legend, Wan Hu was an imperial Chinese official who sought to reach the heavens. He sat on a chair with 47 rockets tied to it, holding a kite in each hand, and ordered his servants to light the fuses. The rockets exploded, and when the air cleared, Wan Hu was gone. Some Chinese sources say 'Wan Hu' was a title granted by the early Ming court, and his real name was Tao Chengdao; he is said to have died in 1390.

The story first appeared in a 1909 Scientific American article by John Elfreth Watkins, which used the name 'Wang Tu' and set the event around 2000 BCE. The legend of 'Wan Hu' was widely disseminated by Herbert S. Zim's 1945 book Rockets and Jets. There is no direct evidence substantiating the tale; Joseph Needham considered it dubious and possibly invented during or after the Chinoiserie period. Li Chengzhi argued for its plausibility, suggesting oral transmission by European missionaries or a lost ancient Chinese document.

Reader's Guide

Wan Hu's significance lies in his status as a legendary pioneer of rocket flight, often cited as the 'world's first astronaut' and 'the first martyr in man's struggle to achieve space flight.' The story, though unverified, has been referenced in popular culture, including a 2004 MythBusters episode that deemed the attempt a myth. The International Astronomical Union honored him by naming the crater Wan-Hoo on the far side of the Moon. While most authorities consider the tale apocryphal, some Chinese scholars argue it may have roots in missionary accounts or lost records. The legend persists as a symbol of early human ambition to reach space, despite the lack of historical evidence.

Did You Know?

• According to some Chinese sources, 'Wan Hu' was a title, and his real name was Tao Chengdao.
• Joseph Needham considered the story dubious and possibly invented during the Chinoiserie period.