Digital animation and user interface (UI) designers owe a debt of
gratitude to a horse bet. The year was 1872, and Stanford University
wagered against a former governor of California that a galloping
thoroughbred would actually push off the ground and soar through the
air — almost leaping forward — while it carried a rider. “Unsupported
transit” is what they called it. Most people, including Leland
Stanford, the former governor, racehorse owner, and as it turns out,
founder of his namesake university, thought this was pure fantasy. How
could a beast as large and fast as a horse not have at least one hoof
on the ground at all times?
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