The History of Anesthesiology Reprint Series: Volume Twenty-seven Daedalus and Icarus

The analogy in the use of this figure derives from Daedalus (Greek: "Cunningly Wrought"), mythical Greek architect and sculptor whose fanciful idea failed. He fashioned wings of wax and feathers for himself and for his son Icarus and attempted to fly to the sun. However, Icarus flew too near the sun. His wings melted so that he fell into the sea and was drowned. The island on which his body was washed ashore was later named Icaria. (Figure and description adapted from the Encyclopaedia Britannica) IDEAS THAT FAILE