Medieval thought experiments into the idea of a vacuum considered whether a vacuum was present, if only for an instant, between two flat plates when they were rapidly separated. There was much discussion of whether the air moved in quickly enough as the plates were separated, or, as Walter Burley postulated, whether a 'celestial agent' prevented the vacuum arising. Jean Buridan reported in the 14th century that teams of ten horses could not pull open bellows when the port was sealed.
Medieval thought experiments into the idea of a vacuum considered whether a vacuum was present if only for an instant between two flat plates when they were rapidly separated There was much discussion of whether the air moved in quickly enough as the plates were separated or as Walter Burley postulated whether a 'celestial agent' prevented the vacuum arising Jean Buridan reported in the 14th century that teams of ten horses could not pull open bellows when the port was sealed