. . . He had been eight years upon a project for extracting sunbeams out of cucumbers, which were to be put in vials hermetically sealed, and let out to warm the air in raw inclement summers. He told me, he did not doubt in eight years more, that he should be able to supply the Governor's gardens with sunshine at a reasonable rate; but he complained that his stock was low . . . since this had been a very dear season for cucumbers. I made him a small present. . . .

This whimsical quote from Jonathan Swift’s Gulliver’s Travels encapsulates the satire aimed at the pursuit of impractical and fantastical scientific endeavors. Swift uses the peculiar image of "extracting sunbeams out of cucumbers" to critique the absurdity he perceived in contemporary scientific projects, notably those of the British Royal Academy. The notion of bottling sunlight to combat dreary weather symbolizes the futility of such ventures. The character’s dedication to this nonsensical project, despite the clear lack of progress and funding issues, highlights the tendency of some to prioritize outlandish ideas over practical solutions. By giving a "small present" to this misguided inventor, Gulliver unwittingly underscores the folly of supporting such fruitless pursuits. Swift's satirical lens not only critiques scientific folly but also invites reflection on society’s broader penchant for illogical ventures.