Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-06-26
Aerial Navigation.
The NEWLY INVENTED FLYING MACHINE.

THE NEWLY INVENTED FLYING MACHINE.
This moroingat fremont Temple, before a good
y assemblage of the favored. private exhibition
of the remarkable new invention OF Prof. Ritch
ell known a. the Flying Machine took place
The description of the machine Is quoted from
New York contemporary, which gave an accoun
OF the first exhibition
The flying machine is all cumsiness above, al
lightness and grace below. The lifting power il
afforded by horizontally placed cylinder O
"gossamer CLOTH" fine linen coated with Indi.
rubber twenty i've feet in length aud thirteen il
diameter, weighing only sixty.si SIX pounds anc
charged with hydrogen gas, which Is made by the
usual process non iron lulnlnss and sulphurlC
acid Broad worsted bands extend over that and
down 10 rod of mandrel-drawn brass tubing
nickle plated, , inches IN diameter aud % feet
long. From that rod the machine Is suspended
by slender cords.
The alter potion of the machine is at the base
paraelogtam Of rods feet wide aud ) - feet
long, from which rise, lengthwIse, cuyed rods ls
inches high in the centre, and drawn near togeth-
eT at the top. All these rods are in reality hollow
tubes Of maudrel- drawn brass, light and very
sroug. Above the Apex OF this form rises a cog
edged steel wheel, III inches ia diameter with
double handles 50 geared to -four -baded fan
moving horizontally, directly beneath, that the
operator can give the fan 1000 revolutions per min.
ute. The fOur blades of the fan are of white hoI-
ly, each having a superficial area of about 81
square inches, aud the eNtreae diameter Of thi,
rev diving fan Is - inches
The blades are set al a slight angle like those
Of tue screw OF "a propeller. Just behind the
wheel is a very snail seat upon which the opera.
tor petehes His fl ct rest upon two light treade.
above and IN mont of the ian. From Tue front of
this form spIing olhel rods, carrying al their ex.
tremlty VelticaIly-wolklug revolving fan hk,
hat beneath tue operators seat except that il !,
but y luches IN diameter. 1t Is 50 gealed to the
main or horizontal ian that 1t NAV he
operated or not, at the pleasure of the
driver of the machine, and can be made to turn
| from one side TO the other, 50 as TO d,fect the
course of the machine III the air.
Tins fan viii make $500 evolutions per minute
when the other is making 1000. An it, movement.
are controlled by tue operators feet. When he
! presses the left tresdie he throws it into gear
when he presses with the toe of his night foot il
turns to the left, and slight pressure of his hee
whnls 1t over 10 the right He can also reverse
the action Of ms main tan, SO that when it whirl,
| one way he goes down, and when it. course is re
/ VrIsCu he mounts IN The ar. That thi. is MOI
merely clam, has been clearly demonstrated
| Then tue weight OF the operator and machine
and the hitng power of tue gas cylinder have
! been SO nicely adjusted that they are exactly
! balanced, six pounds have been added to the
weight OF the machine and the working of the
| horizontal fan has caused the apparatus TO rist
and continue to ascend as long the lifting pc ".
er OF the machinery was exerted. The W .ght
mol maliy, OF the machine, and the roc ON which
! ~ j. suspended, As pounds. This, then. give,
! la pounds a. The weight OF the eutne apparatus
/ he operator, Marx q nniau, weighs % pounds
aud TO balance hlm ana the dead weight agaius
/ the hiu power Of the ga, he ha. to carry along
with hun qute quantity oi shot and stones.
A. Tor the exhibition, It was entirely successful
| lie operator rose or sank he desired, hoAtet
IN any direction and with much grace described
curves aad circles about the hall. In fact, lik,
Tue man Of the song, he "6cw through the All
with the great 1t Of ease" The sadience--o
beuef to say the spplauded hearth,
the Performance, and were as earnest 10 their adj
n'raton as N their astoni-hment. 1t will mucl
repay all TO visit the exhibition, for few more re
marksbie sights have ever been seen here Bos
ton IraceYtr, 2M.