Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-03

believe it would be possible to secure a pat
ent on either flying machine or an airship
or any part of one that would stand the
| test of the courts. If some one should make
a commercially successful flying machine
dozens would at once copy the models and
| take away the fruits of the original in
vcntorS labor. There isn't a Judge in the
country who would hold that there was
"eally any invention in such an apparatus
because so much has been done and written
bout that the only difference between the
iucceSSful machine which is to be and the
amy failures which have been will be
cry slight. l doubt whether any new prin-
ciple will be discovered which even a
claim for patent may be made.
The man or men who really solve the
problem of flying through the air will find
out nothing new. Powerful motors of Won
derful compactness will be applied to a
framework of extreme lightness, and that
VIII be all there will be to it. Doubtless
this framework will be something similar
to the physical structure of a bird. / do
not believe it will be difficult, because we
nave many mechanical devices now which
are superior to the devices used by nature
IN human beings and animals, and 1 do not
see why we may not put together a con-
trivance which will at least be equal to the
machine and brain of the Bird
Professor s. P. Langley of the Smith
sonian Institute, Washington, was one of
the first men in this country to experiment
with flying machines-,nachines heavier
than the air-unlesS we admit the immortal
Darius Green and his far-famed flying ma
| chine into our chronology of scientific ex-
periments. Professor Langley had a theory
to prove, and he proved it. He did not ac-
company his aerodrome in its flights but he
demonstrated beyond a shadow of doubt
that mechanical flight is possible. Sir Hiram
Maxim showed this also with his aeroplane
AS a man of pure science, who had much
| n T ,<r1n
to-. 1t is time now for others to make the
flying machine commercially available 1t
took Professor Langley several years to de-
velop his main idea as to flying, but during
those years he reached many Interesting
conclusions which will doubtless be taken
into account by the inventors who attempt
to follow him and to carry out the idea Of
Edison as to navigating the air.
In his preliminary experiments Professor
Langley showed that, disregarding the fric-
ton, which is slight a 200 pound plate could
be moved through the air at the rate of fifty
miles an hour with the expenditure of one
weight could be drawn horizontally through
space and upon the air with engine of
only ten horse power In his airshp Num-
Der VII Santos-Dumont will have engines of
ninety aggregate horse power, sufficient to
move a fiat plate weighing nine tons
| through the air at the rate of fifty miles an
hour AS a matter of fact, the Santos-Du-
| mont Number VII will weigh when col
| apsed less than ton and when the gas bag
is filled with hydrogen the whole machine
will have lifting power of $500 pounds.
With this equipment the young man hopes
| to speed through the air at the rate of
| forty-five miles an hour.
1t must be clearly understood, however.
that the Santos-Dumont type of airship
cannot be operated in a stiff breeze or in
changeabe winds; indeed, the aeronaut does
not make any claim that he navigate
the air in all kinds of weather. Given fair
| weather. Santos-Dumont will not hesitate
to launch his craft and fly away over cities
and seas. The sensation of fear seems to
be entirely absent from his makeup.
II always have good deal to do when I
am in my ship" he exlains, land 1 do not
have time to think about being afraid. 1
don't know what it is to be afraid of fall
ing"
Interesting Experiments.
1t seems an almost universal belief that
the air itself offers tremendous resistance
to the passage of any body through it. AS
a matter of fact it doesn't. The bird in its
flight has been both constant wonder to
man and an unending promoter of hope
that some day he may equal its aerial
! movements, but if the air resisted flight &C
cordtng to the computations of Newton and
the ordinary text books of the day the
| swallow would have to be as strong as a
man. Prof. Langley has demonstrated the
contrary by interesting experiments which
any one may reproduce. He attached a
| plate of brass to a spring registering appa-
ratus and fastened it to long arm which
easily could be set in motion. When the
arm was at rest the brass registered one
pound, but when the arm was revolved the
spring, instead of being drawn out still
further, was contracted until it registered
| less than an ounce. The weight then
! seemed to float in the air, and it was found
| that much less power was required to
move the plate rapidly than at low rate
! of speed. 1t seemed to run over the air
niue hthe same as skipping stone runs
over the surface of the water and does not
sink until its momentum is gone.
Mr. Edison'S plan of solution was appar-
emily so different from that of Santos-Du-
| mont that asked the aeronaut how he re-
garded the matter
II don't think our ideas are so far apart"
| he replied. HE told me 1 was on the right
| track. I don't believe in doing away with
| the balloon entirely yet, but I am making
the gas bag smaller and increasing the mo-
| a while I shall come to Mr. Edison's plan
| Unfortunately, what he says about the re-
| wards of the inventor is true but 1 have
| never cared for that part of it. 1 never
| tried to get patent on my part of my
airship, and do not intend to- Whatever
| money I get in prizes / shall devote to fur
| Their experiments in the airshp line.
II was glad to talk with Mr. Edison He
| is a practical man. He has promised to
give me the first battery he turns out of
his factory, and shall use 1t on nv air.
| ship for the purpose of lighting the gaso-
| line engines with an electric spark This Is
| the safest and quickest way, and, Of course,
the battery will be>so light that it will add
value to my equipment without adding I'M
! necessary weight