The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-06-27
MACHINE THAT FLIES
Prof. LangIy Solves the Prob
lem With Liquid Air.
HUNDRED MILES AN H)UR
When Perfected 1t Will be
Given to the World.


Pierpont Langley OF the Smithsonian In
sritutyon Is credited by local scientists and
inventors with having perfected flying
machine that IN mechanical construction
and simplicity Of detail Is a vast improve
ment over his sO-called aerOdrome that
clrc1ed in the air over the waters Of Inc
Potomac three years ago
Professor Langley's experiment in 1886
with working model of machine he
had long been celebrating Is VOL remem-
bered. for It was brought forcibiy to the
attention of the word by such authorities
as Professor Alexander Graham Bell and
others OF his stamp VINO were fortunate
enough 10 witness the secret trial on the
banks of the Potomac. The new machine
of this same indefatigat5e inventor Is no
working model, but is sad to be able 90
carry in its car as many as six men and
travel easily at a rate of 100 miles an hour
under The absolue mastery OF its engineer
and pilot.
Great caution has been q1urted by the
inventor and his two assistants In working
out the new aerodrome Not that PROBES
Bor Langley is jealous that some one will
steal his knowledge, for he has asserted
the world will be given freely all that he
can discover, but because II Is the feeling
of all inventors engaged in a delicate as
well as stupendous undertaking that sue
cess Is most easily achieved in quiet and
seclusion, away from the prying and
OF ha
gossip and idle talebeaner.
When Professor Langley returns from
his visit In Europe where he recently
went, he will, is expected. apply what
knowledge he gained there TO his already
equipped aerodrmle, make new tests and
trials, and when he IS satisfied the world
will gen. 1t is confidently believed, new
invention. and one that the seers and
wonder workers for ages have sought for
and gone mad over, but never attained.
There will be no patents. There win be no
barriers 70 the genius OF the world pre-
venting investigation and further improve
ment. This much Professor Langley has
promised.
Added interest accrues % this new ma
chime since the appropriation OF the Unit
ed States board of ordinance. made last
fall has been employed in its construction.
The sum OF S., 900 was put in Professor
Langley's hands by this department OF the
war bureau in Washington after the pro-
fessor had explained his plans and the
possibilities be believed to be within his
power to attain The War Department
recognized at that juncture the untold
value Of an air machine that could rise
over the army or camp OF an enemy, and
without becoming a good target for the
shells or bullets of rifles and field pieces
do unutterable damage to the opponent bv
dropping bombs and exploding shells upon
a foe. even as Jove in his ofttime pictured
anger Is said TO travs let fall here and
there the thunderboats and balls of fire !
'IpOn those poor things who had aroused |
his anger.
1t Is most encouraging commentary NJ !
the advance OF the scientist Of these DAYS
90 remark the remarkable Improvement NJ /
the present aerodrome OF Professor Lang /
ley's invention over that he sent into this /
air on May G. 1895 That machine was q
small thing, designed, as stated. as only
q model, and with the propeiling power
lodged IN a small steam engine ond boiler
The new machine IS a giant IN connari-
son. it's engine is of twenty horse power.
and Is operated by liquid air, made possi-
hle' Indeed by the recent discoveries Of
Charles r Tripler.
The engine is made Of aluminium and
steel and though its power IS great, the
total weight OF this device IS only forty
seven pounds. The advance step in three
years Is therefore almost incomprehensble
from a model that fioated about for a
few minutes and then settled to the earth
on the dying out OF the steam power to a
real flying machine that gives every pro-
mise OF carrying passengers and freight.
not TO say the deadly explosives OF war.
This big meta, bird lies on the floor o.
Professor Langley's workshop in the
Smithsonian Institution. Where ,h,s
workshop Is located IS known to but a fav-