The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-03-09
TO DROP 1000 FEET.
France With n Worlds Fair Attraction
for Steel Nerves.

France With Worlds Fair Attraction
FOR Steel Nerves.
The French have taken more pronounced
interest in the Worlds Colum bian EXPOSE
ton than has any other foreign nation, says
the London Graphic. Their interest has
thus far manifested itself principally in the
form OF abundant suggestions. The fact
that their own exposition was so marvel
ously successful leads them, perhaps not
unnaturally, TO the conclusion that they are
especially qualified to give wise and timely
counsel TO those charged with the manage
meht OF the Chicago enterprise. 1t Is their
firm belief, apparently, thata international
fair to be successful must first of all possess
some unique feature sufficiently striking
and novel TO attract attention through out the
world; Ia other words, they insist that
Chicago must have an attraction to serve the
purpose for which the Effel Tower was
constructed. To aid the Worlds Fair au-
thorties III determining this all-important
matter the ParisiaAs have set 20 work ill.,
dustriously, and the number OF their ideas is
already legion.
The suggestion which is most striking. rs
far as novelty Is concerned, consists simply
in dropping a projectlle-ShaDed car from
tower 1000 fest ia height into n basin OF
water. The originator of this plan says
that certain emotions are aroused by falling
u considerable distance. These sensations
are excited IN a minor degree by a rapid de-
scent in an elevator. Ii it be possible to
make fall of 1900 feet perfectly safe. the
human family will have an opportunity TO
experience a new set of emotions OF the
character OF which they have merely an ink
ling al present. This is given as the phllo-
sUpbicaI reason FOR believing that a project
OF the kind would excite the liyeliest kind
of interest.
The inventor of this project has worked
out many OF the details. The cigar shaped
car, according TO his plan, should be built OF
steel, With number OF interior cones to pre-
vent compression of air in the passenger
compartment when the craft strikes the
water. The proper height of the projectlle
Is given at about forty feet aud its weight is
estimated at eleven tons
III dropped from q height OF 1000 feet the
car viii be travelling at Il speed Of 80 feet
per second when 1t strikes the water. AS
this IS considered more than three times as
last MS an express train, the occupants would
gain an idea OF what rapid transit really
means. The trip will not last over very
few seconds, SO that the travellers Will not
have much time to enjoy the pleasurab!e and
thrilling sensations which the originator as
Serts will be inspired by the fall
The basin is to he 200 feet deep. Before
reaching that depth the resistance of the
water Will bring the projectile TO gradual
stop, when it Will rise to the surface ready
TO be carried to the elevator leading to the
tOWer lEom WHICH Tie uFOp ~ mAu6. no
arrest of motion will be SO gradual that the
eleven passengers seated on cushioned
chairs on the floor resting on springs will
not be Jared when the craft strikes tue
water.
Unfortunately the suggestion will be con-
sidered preposterous. The scheme, how
ever, Is one which is seriously discussed by
Aristide Berges Of the Paris POLYTECHNIC
School. Charles Carran, an engineer OF
GrenoDle, has made careful study OF all
the conditions connected with the execution
of project of this kind. He has stated 1t
as his opinion that there are no reasons,
practical or theoretical. to prevent the actual
realization of this scheme. In spite OF this
assurance 1t will doubtless be difficult to find
volunteer anxious TO make the first trip in
the falling car.