Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1878-06-04
MIScELLANE GUS.
A FLYING MACHINE.

What is now and likely to be for consider
able time the most attractive novelty of the
Permanent Exhibition is a genuine "fying"
machine-the only one, according to its in>
ventor. Mr.. Charles F. Ritohel. which has
yet succeeded in doing any flying worth
talking about" A private exhibition of the
machine and its capabilities was given ycster>
day afternoon in the maiu building, which
for some days has been temporarily closed to
the public for the purpose of allowing prep
arations for to>morrow's opening ceremonies
to go on without interruption. The exhibi-
tion was witnessed by about one hundred
gentlemen, who had been invited to attend,
including representatives, Of the Franklin In
stitute, with other prominent scientific and
professional individuals, and gave general
satisfaction, the machine performing all that
had been claimed for it. But whether the
thing would work equally well in the open,
stirring air is question yet to be decided.
The name Flying Machine" does not
convey correct idea of what the ma
chine is as does the statement that it is a
form of balloon which can be guided by the
eronaut. First, there is cylinder of oiled
canvass containing about 5000 cubic feet
of hydrogen gas. This is horizontal, twen-
ty-fve feet long AID twelve feet in diameter.
woven band, and transversely by nine or ten
similar bands. These bands are fastened to
hollow, brazen rod, as long as the cylinder
and hanging parallel to il, foot or two be
low. Suspended from this is frame. work,
mainly of steel and brass rods and somewhat
resembling the skeleton of boat This is
about half as long as the cylinder. Upon it
the nronaut sits as upon q velocipede.-
With his hands he turns q double>crank,
which sets in revolution a four padded
wheel, resembling the propeller of a steam
ship, and fixed horizontally beneath the seat.
When the crank is turned forward this wheel
gives upward motion TO the machine, and
when reversed causes descent. The purpose
of the cylindrical case of hydrogen is not TO
directly cause ascent, for this is effected by
the wheel, but to give the entire machine q
gravity very little greater than that of air. SO
that when loosed from the earth it will re-
main in q condition of almost equipoise, not
rising until the wheel has begun to turn.
For the purpose of propelling the machine
in still air, and shaping its course Whenever
necessary, there is a second wheel similar to
the other. 1t is fixed vertically at tho for
ward end of the framework, and has two mo-
tions, one on its axle for the purpose of pro-
pelliDg, and another in q horizontal are de-
scribed by a short rod to which it is fixed
By means of this second movement the ero>
naut is enabled to turn and guide tho ma
chine. The wheel, in order that it may have
as much power as possible, is eight or ten
feet distant from him-nearly as far as a
point directly under the end of the cylinder.
But he governs it easily by means of pedals,
which work like that of a sewing machine.
The weight of the entire machine is 103
H. n,lS,Inr .-o;ob;,o SE .n1 -
mainder As. Hydrogen gas, although far
more costly than the illuminating gas ordi-
narily used in balloons. is adopted for this
which, by Offering more resistance to the air,
of the elevator and propeller. Professor
King, the ballooDis., who was one of the
spectators yesterday, said that 1000 cubic
feet of illuminating gas would be required TO
accomplish the results effected by the $500
cubic feet of hydrogen. But, be added,
while the former would cost only about SO
per thousand the latter could not be obtained
for much less than s25 per thousand.
A lad named Tuttle, weighing III
pounds, who had been trained to operate the
machine, did the eronsut work of the day.
When he first straddled the framework Pro-
fessor Ritchel ascertained with 9 steelysrd
that the machine was ten pounds above an
equipoise. he said that gas escaped, and
the thing would not go up with SO heavy an
operator, so lad of 96 pounds was substi-
tuted, but, wanting experience, the best be
could do was to ascend, which be did, en-
couraged by applause. Reversing the crank,
he descended upon an immense show case and
rebounded like an India-rubber ball, causing
great laughter. More hydrogen being put
into the cylinder, the expert young Tuttle
again straddled, and this time "few, rising
almost to the roof Of the building at its high.