The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1899-04-30
A TEXANS AIRsHIp.
The Invention of w. u. Custend Of
Waco.

MnCo.
Waco Tlmcs-lIcrald
W. H. Custead. who went To Washington
three weeks ago 10 submit his invention solS-
ibE tho problem Of aerial navigation. for the
consideration Of the board OF ordnance and
Notifications of tho war department, returned
last night bringing with him tho highest COM
nendation of those who had Investigated his
invention.
Mr.. Custoad Is Joint agent for the Katy and
Texas Central railways at the junction, twelve
miles north OF Waco. aud his postoflce ad-
dress is Elm Mott. lie has been eight years
Ia the service Of the Katy in Texas. Is S2
years old, and has spent twenty years OF his
life seeking a solution OF the problem OF
aerial navigation. lie Is satisfied that ne mas
found this solution at Lass. and this opinion
Is borne out by the high Endorsements he has
received from those TO whom his invention has
been submitted
A Times Herald reporter met Mr.. Custead
Last evening shortly after his arrival from
Washington and asked him as to his visit 10
tie National capital and what he had accom-
plshed, lie gaid:
wien | left Texas three weeks ago has been
realized and confirmed both by rfie war de-
partment and by the patent office ] was as
sprod that my .ded, as shown in my inyen-
tion, was strictly original, and in addition It
was pronounced to be the key 70 success In
the achievement of practical aerial nayiga-
tlon.
'The board OF ordnance and Notifications,
OF which Lieutenant Lewis Is chairman, gave
me full and exhaustive hearing last Tues
day. the 2ith when 1 was before the board
pcic than three hours. My plans. model and
fotber details OF my invention were submitted
to the board on the Goth. and on the 2ith Il
gave me a hearing. All the mombera teak
a lively interest in my invention, piled me
with questions and discussed its features
among themselves. They went through the
plans from start to finish and at tho conclu-
sion OF the conference assured me that had
beyond any question found the solution Of the
pioblem. and there was no doubt OF the sue
cess Of the principle n properly applied. They
made no suggestions or recommendations az
to any changes or notifications In the me-
chr meal arrangements or otherwise. but they
did object to the use OF carbonlc acid gas
motor as being too liable 10 explosion. This
objection. members OF the board suggested,
could be easily overcome by the use of pc
tToleum motor capable OF furnishing the requi-
site propellng power.
The principle involved in my machine Is q
combination OF balloon, bird wing aud aero
plrne so applied however, as to conflict In
no particular with any other device on record,
Tie hull is seIni-cigar or canoe shaped, point
al az both ends, and can be made OF any de-
sired size. My idea is that II my invention is
adopted the arships viii be made OF varying
si' es. some being as large rs ocean liners, and
hitsd With every comfort for travel, as ars
occCn- going vessels. II Is practical 10 do this
with my invention. The hull IS entirely en-
cloeed and covered and. with the exception
o. cabin space In the center for the occii-
pancy OF the operator and passengers. forms
reservoir, which is flled With hydrogen
gas, the lightest gas known. NJ order to ~
/ duoe weight and maintain an equilibrium, AZ
we'll as matter OF safety In case OF accident
rns poRsas ssss n Tus q any Operated
from each upper side sf the machine, snd Con
/ nected IN such manner With the mechanism