The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-08-07
BICYCLING In THE AIR.
A Spectacular Combination OF Bal
loon, Cicycle and Boat.
The Inventor Calls the Machine an
Aerocycle.

1t Is claimed chat inventive genins has
found way to ride bicycle through the
air TO the clouds and back again. Pro
fessor Charles j. Rhone, a student of aero
nautics, says so and sturdily asserts the
machine he has invented will provo the
statement TO be fact.
This stAngest of all cycles is being con-
structed In New York. and its originator
declares il will be given thorough trial
before the snow flies.
The aerocycle will not enable the rider to
start from the earth on q cycling trip TO
the moon, hut will go as high as circum-
stances will permit by means of balloon
Attached TO this balloon will be para
chute, and this will be securely fastened to
the wheel.
When the balloon and its freight arrive
at the desired height tho rider will loosen
the ties that bind parachute and balloon,
and then the journey through the air and
To the earth will begin.
The aerocycle isn't like tho ordinary
safety, for OF course riding on air Is not
like pedaling on land.
Starting with the safety bicycle as
basis Of construction, imagine n cigar
shaped, hard rubber cylinder, about feet
long and ID inches in diameter, firmly fixed
at each side of the machine and parallel To
IL a few inches from the ground These
are the floats. In this respect the aerocycle
differs little from tho familiar catamaran
or water yelocipedes.
The diameter of the wheel is considerably
greater than that Of the ordinary bicycle
wheel, and the pedal shaft is set high
enough to keep tho riders feet out OF the
water when aioat Tho cylinders, and, in
fact, all parts Of tho odd machine, are care
fully balanced so that the equilibrium is
no moro difllcult 10 maintain than that of
the bicycle.
The front wheel has no paddles, all the
power being applied To tho rear by the
simple sprockct and chain device, ard only
comes into play upon the earth The rud-
dcraTpcars disproportionGtely large, owing
tn the necessity of a much larger steering
plane In tho air than is required for marine
navigation. while its efficacy in the water
is not impaired by its increased size 1t is
connected by tillcr ropes with the steering
gear, or handle bars, at the forward end.
The seat Of the navigator Is an ordinary
bicycle saddle. The inventors claims are
very conservative as Co the ability OF the
machine to fly against the wind during the
descent. He frankly admits that no ma
chine depending upon a balloon for its
deviation has yet been devised which can
be directed ard propelled TO any given
point at tho will OF tho aeronaut Any
balloon ship is moro or less at the mercy
Of tho winds-at least none has been pro.
duced To pass his crucial test OF practicable
ity-but he thinks by means Of his rudder
and collapsble paddles, though no is
Obliged 90 follow tho general direction Of
the wind, he can exert q divcrtiyo force
with "a ranged many degrees. The balloon
which MIR RhOLc proposes 20 employ in
his aSconts Is shaped exactly like the air
tight cy ylindcr he usos TO 1Oat the cycle in
the water
In descending the parachute, which IL
suspended directly beneath the balloon, is
FIRST practically spread open 10y means of
cross with tclescoping which the operator
extends by drawing n cord, thus permit
ting sufficient air to enter 10 slightly dis
tend It, This new feature obviates tho
danger which results from tho failure of
the parachute to open promptly
This remarkable craft Is not destined for
pleasure It's chief purpose will bc spec
tacular desccnts
Professor Rhonc said Of his Invention:
"The bicycle will rcvolutionlze acronaut-
ics Think OF a man riding downward
from the clouds without moving the
wheels, but by ppJpelling the bicycle, his
descent will be more graceful New
xogk Joupak