The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-08-13
BECHTEL'S AIR SHIP.


certainly been as eminently successful as
the first efforts at steam navigation. And
who should be surprised tits success? A
practicable air ship today is not as far in
| advance of cOntempOraneOuS inventions as
was Fulton's marvellous Clairmont beyond
the inventions of 1907. The sober mind
has rather been surprised that the fertile
brain of the nineteenth century has not
accomplished aerial navigation before now.
Wise men have long anticipated its advent.
At last it has made its appear
nee. And it has come to
stay There doubtless will be many
changes and improvements, but the air
ship is a realized fact.
The patent issued recently to Mr..
Charles +. Bechtel, of Udall, Kan, pro-
poses evident merits over any that has
been made, or even suggested, in Europe
or this country. 1t might be well to briefly
describe this remarkable invention.
l. 1t consists of two large cylinders
placed a convenient distance apart and
held firmly to their position with relation
to each other by light, but strong, steel
framework between the front and rear
end of said cylinders. These frames are
made light but very stiff, by being con-
structed after the best pontal patterns.
The cylinders lay horizontal in the air and
parallel with each other, and are filled
with buoyant material so as readily to
float the entire structure A convenient
cage is made of steel wire and fastened to
the two bridges connecting the cylinders.
1t will be seen that the cage or basket is,
thus, very practically located between the
I I L
so common in all aeronautlcal struct-
ures. With this outline of structure
it will be noticed that there will
be less tendency to gyrate and Oscillate in
the forward movement of the ship than in
the case of Tissandier's (of 1888, or Ben
ards and Krebs' (of 1884, all of which had
but one cylinder TO the ship. Again, cylin
ders are of one continuous diameter and
then brought to point at each end like
sharpened lead pencil
.. Forward motion is supplied by two
lightly constructed screw propelling
Wholesome at the rear end of each of the
buoyant cylinders. Machinery is so geared
as to enable the pilot to run one slow and
the other fast, or one the reverse direction
of the other. This must be a very great
advantage over those having but one wheel.
Turning the ship and its entire control
when in motion is greatly simplifed. Some
difficulties are here overcome and many
advantages gained.
g. But the most important part of the
invention remains to be mentioned. At
the outside of the cylinders, opposite the
cage, (Which is between them, is attached
on a pivot an elongated wing to each
H. IL
changed in angle SO as to raise
or lower the ship during her
motion through the air. They are long,
fiat, broad like wings hung in center and
may be adjusted at any angle required in
raising or lowering the ship.
There seems, in fact, to be great simplicity
of all the parts and everything adjusted on
the principles os philosophy. In conclusion
it may be said: 1t can not be thought
more incredulous now that practicable
air ship can be made and pilot have full
control of the same, than it was once
thought possible TO make a Steel Clyde
ocean vessel in lieu of the clumsy tubs of a
few generations ago. One thing is GER
tain. An air ship, moved at will by an
operator, has been tested in Europe and
made a success, and now our active, ever
progressive American mind has secured a
patent for something still in advance in
this country. Many things might be
judiciously said in praise of this very in
genious and practicable invention.
The Scientific American recognizes the
invention in the following words:
The aerial catamaran herewith repre-
sented has been patented by Mr.. Charles
T. Bechtel, of Udall, Kansas II has two
cylinders adapted 10 hold a buoyant
material, and connected by a light frame
beneath which is stretched a platform OF
woven steel wire supporting an electric or
other motor designed todrive a rearwar1ly
extending shaft which operates two pro-
peller blades. To the outer sides OF the
cylinders are connected wings. piyotally
mounted on horizontal shafts, the
wings earring racks engaged by annular
gears in guideways carried by the
cylinders, whereby the wings may be in
ciined at such angle 10 the horizontal line
as may be desired. In operatin il is de
signed that the cylinder shall be Just suf-
ficiently buOyant 70 not quite overcome
the attraction OF gravity, when, the wings
being set at the desired angle. the motor
is started TO drive the ship by the action Of
the propeller blades. the upward and down
ward motion being regulated by the in
clination OF the wings. while steering TO
the right or left Is effected by disconneet-
Ing either the left or right propeller wheel
from the motor shaft.