Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-04


/ wrote that ''the electric engine will be
required. Electricity in fact, will be as
indispensable to the acrobat as to one OF
Jules Verne's imaginary structures. The
electric light will flash from its lookout
station, and illumine the inner galleries;
while the steering and propulsion will be
governed by electric signals"
Within this year the marvellous inven-
ton of the Faure accumulation has solved
the problem of the storage of force, and
we are assured that equally surprising ad-
vances may be expected in its capacity to
render a greater amount of energy for the
given bulk and weight of the reservoir.
G. A cheap process of obtaining alumni
MUM in quantity was yet to be discovered.
wrote that "lightness and strength"
must be the watchword. "All the internal
stays. ties, braces to be made of strong but
delicate metallic rods, wire and tubing"
The following reference was made to the
metal best suited for the purpose:
Some years after 1 began to think of this
subject fell into conversation with an in
telligent machinist, the chance companion
of a railway trip. He remarked that he
thought the solution of our problem might
depend upon the increased production of
aluminium-then comparatively new
metal.
This, one of the most abundant of met
ais, is so difficult of extraction from the
clay that the cost at that time was $3.50
per ounce. By 1867 it was obtained
through an improved process from cryo-
lite, at cost of 80 cents
per ounce. Recent authorities quote the
cost of manufacture as low as 81 pound.
It's specific gravity, when hammered and
rolled till strong as iron or stronger, COM
pares with that of iron and copper MS 2.67
to 7.78 and 9.7S respectively. 1t is, there
fore, but one-third as heavy as the lighter
of these metals, and even weighs less than
glass. There are signs that it yet will be
produced so cheaply as to be useful for
much of the jointed framework of our
structure, and for portions of the machin-
cry not subject to excessive heat. But
though it cost its weight in silver it might
we'll be afforded, if by its use a structure
could be made to navigate the air.
Aluminium bronze, ten parts aluminium
and ninety parts copper, has a specific
gravity of only 1853. 1t is three times
more rigid than gun metal, and forty -four
times more so than brass; and, in conse-
strength, exceedingly strong tubing and
rods could be made of it at a vast economy
of structural weight.
Prof. Newberry now tells you that sal
minimum has not been largely used yet,
because of the cost that has attended its
production; but for long time everybody
has been looking for cheaper method.
The price of it when first saw it was SO an
ounce: year ago it was 81 an ounce, and
now there is Philadelphia firm that offers
to supply it in large quantities at forty
cents an ounce, while a Connecticut man
ufacturing company say that they can pro-
duce it for less" He continues: "Think |
how valuable it would be in bridges and all
structures in which lightness combined
with strength and durability is desired. If
we ever have machines to navigate the air
it will be an extremely important element, |
for it can be easily wrought into tubes that
will be strong and light"
1t is not within my province to enlarge |
upon the thousand departments in which
this light, strong and non-corrosive metal
will take the place of iron. And We have
yet to learn how cheap is the new method
of production, but if your London tele
gram is we'll founded, and if the cost of al
minimum can be reduced to any sum ap
proximating the cost of steel, making al
lowance for the difference in specific gray
ity of the two substances, we can safely
assert that the year 1888 has provided two
or three factors required for the solution
of the problem of aerial navigation.
I judge that the prediction of
an early solution, of the prob
lem is not without basis. If it shall be
solved, all the results which 1 dwelt upon
with some enthusiasm most surely will fol-
low apace. A speedy revolution will be
observed in the social, commercial, and
political system of human life GU this
globe.