Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1900-10-18

80 oA'4 AOoA \ iii OSCA
fully occupied on it during t lat time.
MANY HANDS REQUIRED. j
But during that time the rest of the
workers engaged in the construction Of
the balloon nave not been idle. A skill
ed modeller has been carving out of
walnut wood the valve The valve is a
kind Of disc, divided through it's diam ,
eter into two hinged parts. The aper- !
lures are held by springs, which only
yield to pressure. The valve is opened
by merely pulling a string, technically
known as the valve line, which passes
down through the balloon and out at
the lower orifce, at which the neck
| terminates.
The same mechanic has also been at
work on the ring which surrounds the
neck-a simple circle Of wood furnished
with pegs to receive the netting with
which the envelope is covered, and hold
fast the material. The next thing this
same man makes is the suspension
ring, a much more substantial piece Of
workmanship, which goes above the
car and holds the ropes.
Speaking Of the ropes and the net
work of cord which surrounds the silk
envelope these form two of the most
important items in the correct con-
struction Of the balloon. It is neces-
sary to ascertain exactly what resist
ance they will stand. Neither must
they be too strong nor too fragile, but
exactly right. All depends on the size
and strength of the balloon itself, and
precise mathematical formulae have to
be followed in making the selection of
netting and cord. Needless to say, only
the best hempen cord is ever used.
The amount of cord used on a single
balloon is extraordinary. This particu-
lar one will use up about $500 yards,
and counting all the minor ropes util-
| S-~J -
Will not be much under five miles.
And the car? This is the part of a
balloon that most roubles the embry-
onic aeronaut. He fancies it could so
easily be detached or tipped over, and
on his first ascent skywards his mind
is full of apprehension on this score.
But nothing of the kind is possible.
The ropes which support the car are
interviewer with its wicker work, and
run right through the bottom of it,
thus making the car absolutely an in
tegraI portion of the whole balloon.
THE LAST TOUCHES.
Balloons that are made of pure silk
have to be vanished with g prepara-
ton of linseed oil in order to render
the envelope more impervious to the
gas, and also to prevent the too elastic
material getting out of shape.
This vanishing OF the envelope is
the last operation it u~ndergoes, and it
is by no means an Isl one. A row
Of female worker take hold of the silk
en- envelope and place it on the ground.
They lay it out le~ngthways, the valve.
/ Of course, at one extremity, the neck
at the other. They manipulate the huge
mass of material until they get it into
} something akin to the shape of a long
| spindle.
: Then by their united efforts they
raise it-still in this shape-place it on
a bench that runs the whole length OF
!, the vanishing shop, where it is con-
hded to the charge of the v~arnishers
/ who by means Of pads spread over it q
1 preparation mainly consisting Of quick
5 drying linseed oil. The vanishing
5 process over, the whole Of the fabric
is then suspended on long poles art
tached to the walls of the shop" AND
Z is there left undisturbed for eight Oh
= ten days to become thoroughly dry.
A silk balloon is generally given dve
: coats Of varnish, SO it can easily b.
, understood that these operations occu.
= Ply quite a large proportion Of the time
= taken in constructing a balloon.
= All is now practically finished. TIL
2 most delicate Of all modern vehicles i:
T ready for it's work. The only thing We
. necessary is its imitation.
= When that is accomplished and tn
aeronaut gives the word, the beautiful
e air-ship will bound swiftly skywards
the admiration of all beholders, and
l delight to its lucky owner.