The morning call., 1892-08-29
TO FLY THROUGH SPACE.
Description OF a skycycIe Invented by
Massachusetts Man.
Chicago Tfmes


VIII the Worlds Fair see a solution OF
the problem of aerial navigation? Many
hope so, and moBg them one who proposes
TO lead the way, Charles +. Duryea of
Springfield. Mass. Mr.. Duryea is a promi-
nent business man OF that city. and a manu-
facturer who has applied tor space to ex-
hibit IN the department OF transportation
exhibits Of a "skycycle," IN invention Of
his own, of which lie gives the following
description:
The skycyle is not cycle at all but
soaring machine. and is called cycle be-
cause 1t resembles the cycle in many re-
spects. 1t is balanced and guided like a
cycle, and driven by cranks like one. and
its construction calls for the greatest
strength with least weight. as in cycle con-
structi0n. Like the cycle 1t will be at first
luxury. but finally necessity as a means
OF transit; first sport, but IN time a busl-
ness.
at consists Of framework carrying large
sails like sheets, forming q bird-shRped
plane about 80 feet from tip to tip by 10 feet
from front 10 rear. Ii is provided with
rudder at the rear for steering and baianc-
ing and at the front With propeller for inn
peling il forward through the air The
rudder is controlled by a handle bar in the
hands Of the rider. the pro peller driven by
cTanks and gearing, so as to use 10 the best
advantage the strong leg muscles Of the
rider. Ii is extremely simple, not costly to
Uhliu uol lihoiS 10 YET Hut Oh OEueT. III Will
be, as closely as practicable, large. soaring
bird.
The great step and the next one to be
taken Is that OF acquiring tho ability 10 use
the machine. This has been the great STUN
bling block TO progress in the past, and like
any hidden foe IL has been more powerful
because il has not been TecOgn lied by the
inventors of the world. They have spent
their time in improving the machine, search
ing for lighter metal or more compact
motor, or more efficient storage battery. re-
gardless of the fact that almost any we'll
designed machine would fly If properly man
aged.
How may we get the required practice?
BY some form of school which will support
the machine and its rider while allowing
perfect freedom of action for practice. An
anchored balloon will DO this. On n quiet
day anchor the balloon by several divergent
guy ropes aud let the man and machine
dangle at the end of a long rope in midair
under the balloon. With such a school the
man may practice in perfect safety until he
feels fully able to 90 it alone and the flying
problem Is solved. AlightiHg will be next
In order and can be practiced by allowing
the machine to drop gently on a small an
chored balloon few times Just TO get the
knack of dropping gently and at the right
place, the safety rope from the large balloon
taking the weight and rendering the pTac-
tice safe, Of course.
Starting may be accomplished on a clear
level or down-hill road, or possibly a re-
volvlng derrick may be needed TO carry the
machine till the requisite speed be obtained.
but whatever Is required can be supplied
when experience shows the need thereof.
The whole undertaking has been carefully
considered and every detail that can be
fOreSeen provided for