Arizona republican., 1903-07-17
LOOPING THE LOOP
A>Scientilic Description of that Won-
 derful Feat.

If the scientific world is correct in figuring out the principle of why tho earth does not fall into the sun and the moon come tumbling down on Mother Earth. then it is simple enough why man can loop the loop on a bicycle. The theory is all right, but how many men have the nerve, the steady hand and strength to do it? Up to the pres ent time but one man has been in a position to do certainly one of the most daring acts ever presented to the public. Many have attempted but death or broken bones have been the only result.
 There is much interest in wondering how "Diavolo" can loop the loop. The subject is filled with interesting data and figures. To the person who has not gone into the finer points of the game, it would appear as if "Diavolo" is purely a very foolish man. He is to q certain extent. but being the man he is, a combination of steady nerves and wonderful strength. he can go ahead and loop the loop on a bicycle, while travelling at q greater rate than q rail road train.
 "Diavolo," or John Rued, in pri- vate life. is a study, a gentle ap- bearing German O; 2S years. He has made a study of years of looping the loop and today is the master. Through out the east when he first attempted the act. scores of men of the scientific world were attracted to see him. How could a man hang head downward in mid air. without falling to the ground. was the question that called into play finer points of the game. It was sim pie, once they started to work to find solution.
 The entire matter centers around centrifugal force. This is the agent employed to assist "Diavolo" in per forming the seemingly miraculous feat | The swinging of the bucket of water over ones. head without spilling a drop is the simple answer. But take into | consideration centrifugal force and ap- ply it to looping the loop and then it is presented in a most sensational form. The natural law which enables | "Diavolo' to rush down an incline and turn in the air, would to all purpose seem a bold defiance to gravitation With the law oi gravitation at rest then the act depends on what sort oi nerves "Diavolo" has within his sturdy body. "DiaVolo" must develop q cen | trifugal force great enough to counter | balance his weight when he is at the top of the circle.
 From a study of mathematics, it is easy to learn the size of the loop and then the question of how much force should be developed comes into con sideration. The force rests with the velocity with which he moves. To try and secure this speed by pedaling would be impossible, SO he can only gain it by whirling down a steep slope
 Should the height of the starting point be 20 or 50 feet? A general rule applying to all such cases. is that the elevation of the point from which Int starts must be at the elevation of the loop in the ratio exceeding that of to 4. For Q matter of argument. say the actual loop is 20 feet in diameter This would mean that the starting point must be 9 feet high. In coming down a vertical height of at least ?: feet under the force of gravitation anC Eeglecting all the effects of friction and resistaECJ of the air, the rider would require a velocity of 40 feet : second or mere than p miles an hour
 But in actual practice no loss can bt neglected. The air resistance and tkt friction must all be carefully allowed for. and this is the business of the en- gineer who plans the apparatus. Ac cordinly, ii the loop is 20 feet high, tn, starting platform must be more thar g feet in height and the acquired ve- lCcity mu.t exceed that named above Of course. the loop may be less tha: 9 feet in height and then all othei dimensions will be propcrtionately re duced.
 1t is probable that in the actual cas, considered, the velocity with which tn,