The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-09-07
The Unaerial Buxzard.

lneTo nus TeSteQ on LILO DOSOIu Oh tne
yellow Potomac, forty miles below Wash
ington, tho Langley mystery. 1t is
given out that the thing can and will
fly. If this be true, there is nothing
in all this broad land Of which we
ought to b or will be prouder than
Prof. LANaLEY's invention. No honor
can b too great for tho inventor, and
no material reward, within reason, too
large. Moreover, we hope that the thing
can fy-and will. Not only will this
nation then have the credit OF learning
the art Of the birds Of the air. depart
ing altogether from the gas-inhated
dirigible balloon schemes Of the French
and Belgians, but there will be lifted
from our minds certain oppressive
doubt as to the real value of Prof.
LANGLEY's undoubtedly sincere con-
viction that he can amplify himself-or
a trustful subordinate-intoa bird.
1t is now some twelve years since Prof.
LANGLEYs theories Of aerial navigation
became so far crystallized that he felt
himself warranted in putting them into
practice. Two years later working
model was completed. In 1896 Prof.
ALEXANDER GRAHAM BELL. whose quick
appreciation Of remarkable inventions
is beyond doubt made public announce
ment that he had seen a test of the Lang
ley aerodrome on the lower Potomac and
that it had propelled itself hundred
yards into the air before settling down
into the water. This he had seen it do,
rising by gentle spiral curves twice.
Each time it came down because "the
steam gave out.
Nothing appeals so much to the lively
American Imagination az the possibility
of aerial flight. The appropriation Of
large sums from the public treasury
gave the populace a certain feeling of
cooperative ownership in the Langley
invention. A not unnatural clamor arose
for results, or at any rate the announce
ment of failure to attain results. The
elements themselves stimulated popular
feeling. On Jan. 81 last a high wind
whirled about Prof LANGLEY's floating
repository Of mystery at the foot OF
Eighth street wharf in Washington and
projected the almost airship UP from its
mornings and whisked it about at the
end OF its lettering ropes with violence
which threatened to lift from the sur
face of the river the boat to which it was
attached-much as many of us have
seen a stout umbrella exert an elevating
influence on human beings crossing City
Hall Park in a high wind. The i'm
promptu ascent of the Buzzard (the
name is Prof LANGLEY's, not ours) was
hailed as evidence of the practicability
and success of the device. Again, we
say, we hope that it was.
Again, small model Of the Buzzard
mere chick, was sent out on trial trip
With that lack Of understanding of the
occasion which is unfortunately char
acteristic of inanimate objects, the Buzz
zardlet did not fly. 1t Owed. But the
scientists enthusiastically declared that
the experiment had been great success
1t is not for any mere layman to demand
how or why.
Prof. LANGLEY's confidence in the in
vention was wonderfully demonstrated
by his departure to Canada, where he
remained during many Of the weeks
when it was announced every day
that the Buzzard would fly Tomorrow /"
or next week" Ii was announced that,
Notwithstanding the inventors absence,
his assistant, Mr.. MANLEY, would have
the important duty Of sitting in the
machine and guiding it when it was
projected into the air. This was proof
positive that the inventor felt that the
machine would fly as well with some
one else in the saddle az though he
had the steering apparatus in his own
hands. We cannot but be touched at the
self-sacriclng spirit hich allows a sub
ordinate to have the pub lie glory of being
the first man to rise on man-mads wings
To be sure, there is the offsetting danger
OF failure, with the lack of dignity con-
seqllent upon the emerging from the
water Of an eminent scientist with drip
ping clothes and beard-but what is that
against the chance Of eternal renown?
What laureate shall sing the perfect
unsclfshness and devotion OF MANLEY,
whose trust in the inventors genius is SO
great that even after Prof LANGLEY's
return from Canada he still persists in
remaining at his post of navigator Of
ths Bllzzard2 The confidence shown
thus by MANLEy Is only surpassed by
the generosity Il tho inventor in sur
rendering the honor 10 his deserving
assistant.
IL war two months ago that the product
Of Prof LANGLFY's brain was lowed down
the Potomac 90 QuantloO, There has been
the greatest public interest IN the result
Of the test which Is 10 take place there.