New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-05-31

ures Upon the tetrahedral plan illustrated here
no necessity exists for empty frameworks in the
central spaces for the mode of construction gives
solidity without it.
Tetrahedral kites combine in a marked degree the
qualities of strength, Hghtness and steady flight;
but further experiments required before de-
Gliding that this form is the best for kite or that
winged cells without horizontal aeroplanes consti-
tute the best arrangement of aerosurfaces.
The tetrahedral principle enables US to construct
out of light materials solid frameworks of almost
any desired form, and the resulting structures are
admirably adapted for the support Of aerosurfaces
of any desired kind. size or shape (aeroplanes or
aerocurves, etc, large smalD
In further illustration of the tetrahedral prin-
ciple applied to kite construction. have con-
structed kite which is not itself tetrahedral in
FORM but the framework of which Is built up or
tetrahedraI cells.
This kite although very different IN construction
and appearance from the aerodrome OF Professor
Langley, which I saw in successful flight over the
Potomac q few years ago, has yet suggestlVeness
of the aerodrome about it, and it was indeed Pro-
fessor Langleys apparatus that led me TO the CON
cepton Of this form.
The wing surfaces consist Of horizontal aero
planes with oblique steadyinS surfaces at the ex-
trernites The body of the machine has the form
of boat, and the superstructure forming the sup
port for the aeropanes extends across the boat on
each side at two points near the bow and stern
The aeroplare surfaces form substantially two pairs
of wings. arranged dragonfy fashion
i
formed of tetrahedral cells having the form of the
regular tetrahedron. with the exception Of the
diagonal bracing the bottom Of the superstruct-
ure; and the kite turns out to be strong light and
a steady flyer.
cord-in this case Manila rope-to a gallopins
horse Upon releasing the rope the kite descended
90 gently that no damage vas done to the appa-
ratus by contact with the ground.
A modified form of the same kite illustrated
here has in addition 70 the central boat two side
floats thus adapting the whole structure 70 hoat
upon water without upsett.ng.
An attempt which almost ended dIsastrousiy ives
made TO fly this kite in good sailing breeze out
a squau struck il before # was let CO. The KITE
went UP. lifting the two who held Il off Their
feet OF course they let 60 Instantly and the kite
rose steadily III the air until the flying cord "a
Manila rope three ighths of an inch in diamete)
made an angle with the horizon OF about - de-
srees when the rope snapped under the strain
Tremendous oscillations Of 4 pitching character
ensued. hut the kite was at such elevation when
the accident happened that the oscillations had
time TO die down before the kite reached the
ground when IL landed safely upon even keel IN an
adjoining field and was found 10 De quite ui'liJuie"
by its rough experience.
Kites of this type have a much greater lifting
power than one would first sight suppose. The
natural assumption is that the winged superstruct-
Ire alone supports the kite in the air and that the
boat body and floats represent mere dead load and
head resistance But this IS far from being the
case. Boat shaped bodies having y shaped cross
section are themselves capable of fight and expose
considerable surface TO the wind. / have success
fully flown a boat of this kind as kite without any
superstructure whatever, and although 1t did not
h well II certainly supported itself the air. thus
demonstra ting the fact that the boat surface is an
element of support in compound structures
OF course. the of a tetrahedral cell is not
limited TO the construction of framework Tor
kites and flying machines. 1t is applicable to any
kind OF structure whatever in which IT is desirable
to combine the qualities of strength and Hghtness
Just as we can build houses of all kinds out OF
bricks build structures of all sorts out OF
tetrahedral frames and the structures can be SO
formed as possess the qualities of strength
and Hghtness which chara cteristiC Of the indi
vdual cells I have already built house, a frame
work for a giant wind break. three four boats.
well as several forms of kites, out Of these eie-