Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1908-10-10
DEMONSTRATES
HIS AIRSH|P
DR.. J. A. Udden's Novel Machine is
Tested Before Audience at Au-
gustana College.
THEORY Is EXPLAINED
Inventor Shows That He Has EN-.
ployed New Principles in Con.
struction of the "Rotoper."

DSloTc I'LL duuieuCc tudl CTOWuSU Inc
chapel of Augustana college last night
DR.. ]. A. Udden, professor of science,
demonstrated by means of a model
that he has designed a type of flying
machine that will fly. Three trials
were made, and each time the machine
surpassed previous flights.
DR.. Uddens machine is called by
him the "Rotopter,' or rotating wings.
These wings or propellors are two in
number, situated on each side on top
of the machine When propelled they
cut the air on a horizontal plane, thus
producing the resistance against the
air which causes the machine to rise.
The propellors are operated in opposite
directions in order to maintain an equi-
iibrinm. The propellors merely cause
the machine to rise by acting against
the force of gravitation, the forward
motion being produced by the angle
of the aeroplane in the body of the
machine.
Power From Rubber.
The motive power in Dr. Udden's
model is furnished by rubber bands
which are twisted to produce high
tension. AS long as the twisted rub
bers are uncoiling the propellors are
revolved. In the first experiment last
night, when the string which bound
the propellors was cut, the machine
five feet and flew off the stage into
the chapel. The enthusiasm of the
audience was so great that DR.. Udden
was compelled to repeat the expert
ment a second and third time. The
last fight was the most successful OF
all. "a greater tension having been pro-
duced in the rubber bands The ma
chine rose to a height of about 10
feet and moved across the stage. 1t
remained in the air as long as the pro-
pellCrs rotated, and then settled to
the floor.
In the lecture which preceded the
experiments Dr. Udden review the his
tory of the great efforts which have
been made to solve the problem OF
aerial navigation. He pointed out the
weak points in the different types
which have been built by various in
ventors, and showed how his type
would overcome these defects. One OF
the drawbacks of all aeroplanes thus
far constructed has been their inabil
ity to rise of their own accord without
being run a considerable distance OF
the ground on wheels The additiona
weight of these wheels has hampere(
the movements of the machine in th'
air. The action of the horizontal pro
pellors i'll Dr. Udden's machine cause!
it to rise of its own accord, thus doin,
away with this defect.
shows Gravity Eject.
1T is remarkable fact" said Dr.
Udden, that all experimenters hav
apparently overlooked the fact tina
the force of gravitation is caused t
work in two directions by an aero
plane-both forwards and downwards
Thus if the propellors merely caus
the machine TO rise against the fore
of gravitation, it will move forward @
it's own accord without the necessit
of propellors to force it ahead"
Another point of merit in DR.. u
den's machine is its inability to tur
over It's construction is such that tn
center of gravity is in the lower PAL
of the machine, thus overcoming tn
tendency to capsiZe. A parachute a
rangement is also provided which wi
cause the machine to fall slowly an
gracefully when the projectors ar
stopped DR.. Udden also showed ho
in q perfect model the problem {
steering can be solved in an easy NAL
ner. He proposes to steer by near
of a propeller or 'rudder constructe
on universal joint" Such an. a
rangement will permit the steering a
paratus to be turned in any directio
or angle.
Not for General Use.
DR.. Udden stated that he could NJ
conceive of flying machines -comir
into general use, for, said he, "hume
beings were constructed to walk {
the ground" One of the big dra'
backs which he believes cannot
overcome is that of cloudy and rail-
weather. The fiimsy texture of whit
machines must be constructed is ne
essarily made heavy and its effectiy
ness destroyed when it becomes wet
81 believe, however" said DIR. Z
den, that flying machines will becor
about as general as automobiles; til