Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1896-06-11

pioying bamboo and aluminium for
structural parts, and at one time Is
said to have experimental with the use
of air bags Of the balloon order as
auXiliaries.
His tests and researches finally con
WINGED him that the successful flying
machine would have to be made as
strong and compact as possible, de-
pending wholly upon power for its
ascensional quality as we'll as for its
fight. With this view his latest and
most successful model the one tried
last week in the presence Of Professor
Bell and two or three other friends,
was built of steel, as light as possible
but very strong. 1t is equipped with a
steam engine which is of itself Won
derful invention. 1t is said to be the
lightest engine ever built in proportion
to it's power, the details of the mechan-
ism having cost Professor Langley At
least two years of hard work and a
large sum of money.
Though Professor Langley has care
fully guarded his secret, it is known
that his device does not differ mater
tally from the Maxim flying machine,
and other devices built in Europe, en-
ploying the same principle. The
power of the engine eXerted upon at
mospheric screws, driven at nigh rate
of speed, propel the aerodrome against
the atmosphere at such an angle as
will cause it to rise and slide, as Pro
lessor Bell says, like a skater going
rapidly over thin ice. IN practice it is
expected to make a voyage by means
Of a series Of ascents and descents, the
impact of the machine against the at
mosphere giving steerage way and
ascensional force at the same time.
The great difficulty with all flying
machines of this type, which is the
only type that has ever produced any
encouraging results, is to maintain the
balance of the machine and keep it
from topping over. This is difficulty
which Maxim and other inventors have
encountered, and up to the latest re-
ports none of them had succeeded In
overcoming it. But it is claimed by
Professor Langley's friends that he has
solved this part of the problem.
The model used in last weeks exper-
iment was a small one, not large
enough to carry man. The engine
was set in motion on the ground and
permitted to run till the water gave
out. The steering device was so fixed
as to cause the course to describe E
circle, and when the power was eX
hausted the machine descended gently
1t is impossible to say whether Pro
| fessor Langley has made any new i'm
! portant inventions, such as steering
i devices or improved forms Of atmos
! pheriC screws, but the belief of his
friends is that he has, and that he i:
carefully guarding their secret. Hi:
method of overcoming the tendency o
such machines to lose their balance il
! also believed to be distinct invention
! In other particulars the flying machin,
! is thought to be d scientific and sue
cessful combination of principles ant
details already known to the art
Professor Langley now intends t.
| build a larger machine, one of sufficien
! power to carry one or more passenger
and to make a continuous journey O
many miles without descent. He Il
satisfied he has solved the problem o
practical aerial flight with the exper
mental machine, and has now only t.
apply his improvements and invention
upon scale great enough to give dem
onstration by actual flight through til,
air of steerable and manageable
ship. The cost of this large machin,
is variously estimated at from SIS ,0O
to $125,00 and it is understood ar
engagements are being made to provid,
the necessary funds. Probably tive
years will be required for the construc
ton of the machine, and meanwhil,
! Professor Langley's friends are urgin:
him to give the public further informa
| ton concerning his great achievement
For the first time in the history of tn,
efforts of man to construct practicabl,
machine for navigation of the air i
! looks now as if science and persistency
. had triumphed and that an American
/ is to gain the honor.
! Professor Langley is one of the fore