The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-28
DR.. BELL NOT TO FLY
AT THE ST. LOUIS FAIR
Famous Inventor Denies Rurnor and Talks About
Kites

DR.. Alexander Graham Bell. inventor
c. the telephone last night effectually
d eposed of the rumors that he is going
to enter the airship competition at the
s.. Louis Exposition. Thrilling tales
about how Dr. Bell was going to fly
around the exposition just the same as
a little bird, have been printed in sew
eral newspapers, much to his annoyance.
as he has not the slightest intention of
flying at present.
DR.. Bell said last night he was work.
ing On the development of kites, and had
achieved some remarkable results, which
at some time in the future may induce
him to make an Independent flying ma
chine. but for some time to come his
kites will be anchored to the ground.
and will in no sense be flying machines.
In discussing the subject, DR.. Bell said:
Theories as to Kites.
'.Kites and flying machines have many
points in common, and experimenters
with kites can deduce many facts Of
value to those who are striving TO per-
feet Siderable flying machine, which
Las no balloon attachment. I have de-
yeloped several new theories in the con-
struction and manipulation OF kites
which win be serviceable to those build
ing flying machines. When my plans are
perfected may go go far as to take the
final step, cut the rope and transform
the kite into means of Independent
aerial navigation, but IL will be long
time before that is done-and I certainly
shall not be ready in time for the st.
Louis competition.
"In building kites I have long studied
to obtain a maximum Of strength with a
minimum of weight. I read paper be-
fore the last meeting OF the National
Academy of Sciences in which I stated
thought had accomplished this, and
1t will probably prove Of value to those
interested n aerial navigation. My plan
is to build up the parts from a series
of tetrahedrons and 1t has proved sue
cessful. ! built a house and boat as
well as kites according to this new.
method.
Experiments Costly.
Some Of the kites have constructed
have made their flights with the weight
equivalent to that of a man and an en-
CINE. After we get a little more conf
dence man may be sent up with an
engine, and we will obtain important
information by noticing the results of
his attempts to direct the motion of the
kites.
Foreign Investigators into aerial ma
chimes have announced their intention
of entering the st. Louis competition, but
those machines, as far as I have heard,
all have balloon attachments. such as
that Of Santos Dumont. I would GER
family like TO see some of the American
Investigators. who have been trying to
perfect machines which have not bal
looms come to the fore and take part in
the race. Prof Langley. of the Smith
sonian, has been laboring on a balloon
less fier, and Mr. Chanute, OF Chicago,
has made long flights with an apparatus
worked out on the principles OF g. bird
sailing IN the air.
Flying machine experiments are nee
essarily so costly that 1t is not likely
any dark horses will appear or there
will be entered at st. Louis any airships
which have not already been mentioned
IN the papers.
Literature on the Subject.
at is not generally known that Wash
hgton is the finest place in the world
to study aerial navigation There IS
more literature on the subject here than
in any other city. The collection IN the
Smithsonian Institution is remarkably
complete. and I am sure that Prof
Langley, while he does not talk for pub
LEGATION, would not object to investiga-
tors using the library to further their
studies. I have an individual collection
of the titles of at least four thousand
books. monographs and articles on flying.
"Tfs history Of attempts to fly has
never been properly written. and when
IT IS the American investigators Will oc-
oupy prominent place In its pages.
We hear so much about the French air
ships, or airships built in France, We