The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-05
HIS CASTLE IN THE AIR.
Method by Which Civil Engineer Hop 5
to Suspend a Structure.

Method by Which OWL Engineer Hop
to Suspend a Structure.
When Hfda Wangel planned a castle in
the air to be erected by her and her mas
ter builder, no one, not even the most
enthusiastic Ibsenite, imagined her 10 be
speaking otherwise than symbolically
And yet a civil engineer. NJ. Tobiansky,
promises to make IL a reality at the inter
national exhibition in Antwerp next year.
His castle in the air according to a writer
in the Commercial Gazette, Is 70 be con-
structed Of steel tubes, aluminium, bamboo
and other light but strong materials il
will be covered partly with China Six
ard partly with steel netting, 50 as 10
give the impression Of a building, and,
at the same time, TO allow the wind to 90
freely through the structure, and thus
offer less resistance. The floor Of the
castle will be made Of bamboo and steel
tubes; il will measure 80 yards in lergth
by about yards I'm width. This castle
in the air is carried by a combined bal
loon, composed Of two hemispherical
balloons and Of four cylindrical ones, each
of which consists Of a complete and IN
dependent balloon. These six parts, OF a
capacity Of about 1900 20 1900 cubic
meters each, are made Of double emma
silk. made gas-proOf by special process.
Those six balloons are held together by
being put in a strong silk netting as
Stunning the shape Of a Bag this gives
better outward appearance and Is USED
10 fasten at the bottom OF the netting
strong steel tube, 20 which IS fastened
the castle. The balloon and the castle are
fastened TO the ground by five ropes, each
OF which has a strength OF resistance OF
tuyentv-ove tons. To counterfeit the
strength OF the wind, the balloon Is cover
ed at the top with a second silk net 10
which sixteen steel cables carrying
strength fifteen tons each) are fastener
i'm a diagonal direction, thus holding the
structure in the same position. The pal
loon will be shaped so as TO offer pointed
end toward the wind prevailing IN Ant
werp northwest, and will be able 10 stand
a measure Of two hundred weight ana
over. The turning point, or part where
the castle is fastened 10 the balloon -
also anchored 10 the ground with steer
cables thus insuring the stability or the
castle. even should the balloon be rocKeu
bv a strong wind.
There will be two lifts, made out OF
bamboo. aluminium and steel TUBING
which VIII Ellut dADiia AlAN W N+Nt't 5000
already mentioned. They will be connect
ed bv a steel cable and arranged so as
10 form a counterweight to each other
Bv means Of those lifts ten to fifteen
people will be able 10 ascend or descend
every six minutes. The castle could De
lowered to the ground by the comDined
action OF nineteen steam cranes in twenty
10 thirty minutes; It IS, however, ar
ranged that It shall float in the air even
during the strongest winds. The loss OF
gas will be made good by a gas-making
apparatus transmitting the gas from the
ground through a silk tube, which WIN
be hoisted up when required. since TOUR
OF the small ballons are quite snIhclehl
10 carry the structure and 100 70 100 pso-
pie. II would be an easy matter TO replace
or repair one OF the ballons, should u
be necessary. Not only will the castle
be a great attraction in the Antwerp
Exhibition. IL will also be useful LOT
scientific purposes-weather observations,
astronomical studies, studies on the speed
Of falling of different substances, optic
telegraphy by day and night ana many
other things. At night 300 Edison cleo
trio lanps will light IL up, and since the
rones and cables viii not be SEEN II VIII
FORM a curious sight. Powerful electric
eearchlights. which can be fastened at
any desired height, VIII aHofd an oppoF
tunity OF making experiments Of central
lighting stations. 4 sort Of Imitation OF
moonlight will also be tried.
The inventor Of the castle has been
working out his scheme for the last -FOUR
wears. and had more than once 10 hgnt
against ignorance, doubt, or indifference.
A committee was chosen by the central
committee OF the Antwerp Exhibition,
- ,o,,nosad ~ of3cars Of the aerOnaut-
zeal department In the army, aeronauts,
engineers and men OF science; IL reported
on the scheme and found 1t workable and
based on sound principles The inventor
was then able TO find few men OF posi-
ton and wealth with whom he started
a limited company 70 work out the pat
emf with q large capital.