The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-12-04
EDISON ON AIRSIIIPS.
Startling Plan Suggested TO Solve the
Flying Problem.

believes that the day is coming when
men will fly. But he does not think
this will be accomplished either with
balloon or with an acroplane.
"The trouble with the aeroplane, .
said Mr.. Edison one day last week, is
that it is cumbersome and unwieldy.
I have watched with much interest the
progress made in the experiments Of
Hiram Maxim in England. He has
expended some 800, ,Oo0in building a
track and constructing an immense
machine on the acroplane principle:
while Professor Langley of Washing
ton has been making experiments
along the same line in this country,
but on a smaller scale.
Theoretically these gentlemen have
developed the principle shown by a
bird in soaring, such as the eagle and
the albatross, either of which can sail
for hours in the air without a motion
of the wings. I do not believe, how
ever, that the acroplane principle can
ever be developed successfully so that
men can fly.
can immense acroplane machine
like that of Maxim, which carries
several men and small engine, could
not possibly be managed in the air.
Neither could small aeroplane sufi-
cient to carry single man, for it
would not be under proper control.
GAS for the balloon or gasbag prin-
ciple," said Mr.. Edison, "that has
been practically abandoned by all
recent experiments along this line.
The reason for this is that balloon
forms body of large bulk, which is
at the mercy of the wind.
"In other words, it is impossible at
present to construct balloon which
will carry machine or engine sufficl-
emily powerful to force it against the
wind. The more powerful is your
engine or storage battery, the heavier
it must be and the larger the balloon
to carry it.
"What is wanted is flying machine
that will 60 in any desired direction
under ordinary circumstances. The
balloon is unwicldy, and the aeroplane
is unmanageable. Now, l have an
idea that the proper solution of this
problem is to be sought in an entirely
different direction. We must aban-
don both the balloon and the aeroplane.
II would construct actual ships Of
the air-yachts, schooners and brigan-
tinos-which would back and gybe and
sail before the wind. My idea is that
the lifting power for these airships
should be gas stored in the sails.
"In other words, you apply the bal
loon principle in such a way that the
gasbag, instead Of being an impedi-
| mcnt as it is at present, would be the
actual means of propulsion. | would
construct gasbags shaped like the sails
of yacht.
"Take the mainsail, for instance
You could have that made out of two
sheets of canvas, say, one or two feet
apart and kept in shape by net.
Fill that with gas. Do the same with
the jib, the topsail and the flying jib.
"These sails would be actually bal
looms, which would hold the ship up
from the earth, but they could be so
set against the wind at angles as to
drive her in any direction. The masts
and spars could be made Of bamboo or
any light material.
SIN this way an airship could rise
from the ground, and it would make
no difference to her what way the wind
was blowing. A yacht can sail to any
particular point so long as there is
wind enough to fill the sails. An air
ship of this kind would only need
good wind, and she could go anywhere,
either tacking or running on beam
wind or running before the wind. .
"But how would you keep yCpr air
ships from making lceway?'
"With ballast" answered Mr. Edi-
son. You could, of course, have a
centerboard. But | do not think that
would be necessary.
"a proper amount Of ballast would
keep the airship upright and steady,
Just as it does when ship is in the
water. She would not then make Ice
way. She would not blow sideways.
She would sail cdgcways, just as all
ships do at present in the water.
'Thc balloons. in the form of main
sail. lib and topsail, would form a big
surface for the wind to blow upon and
would force her ahead while at the
same time keeping her off the ground.
"ln this way squadrons and fleets
could navigate the upper air. We
could have yacht races. Who knows
but that tic near future may witness
races for cup taking place on marked
out courses Of the sky just as we had
the Walk yric and Defender this year
racing on the water? The thing is by
no means impossible. | am no flying
machine crank, but this is theory
which am surprised has not occurred
| to those who are dcvoting serious
thought and large expenditure to the
solution of this problem.
according to the plan which have
m,nnrd ont the one great obstacle IN