The Washington times., 1908-07-29
Smithsonian Institution Ban
iSheS Resentment to
Aid Science.
RIDICULE UNFAIR
TO THE INVENTOR
Operator Still Insists That Machine
Can Fly-New Inventions En-
brace Same Principles.

Oficials Of the Smithsonian Institu-
ton have decided 10 withdraw The veil
OF secrecy which has been maintained
| in connection with the aerOdrome con-
structed by the late Prof Langley, and
In order that the construction OF flying
/ machines may be aided as much as
possible. the machine which plunged
into the Potomac instead OF soaring
through the sky viii be easily accessi-
bic. Among the secrets now revealed
is the fact that William Thaw was
Prof Langleys financial backer and
had implicit faith ia him.
This was learned when the promoters
or the new aeTOnautical society called
| on Secretary Adler for che purpose OF
enlisting his support
The criticism and ridicule which fol-
lowed the attempts Of Prof. Langley
10 fiy his ship resulted In the invention
being locked up in his old workshop,
Immediately after his death. II rests
there today, partially dismantled, and
, although it probably never will be Used
again, IL IS a mechanical monument
! 70 The genius Of its constructor.
Few Have Seen 1t.
only a select few have hitherto been
I q
soon as the Museum is transferred TO
its new building it viii be assembled.
In pars at least, and placed on exhioi-
uou in that portion OF The present
building which viii be devoted 70 the
aTJs.
The wonderful strides made IN aerial
navigation recently. and the fast that
many OF the latest ana most s-ecessfGl
alrships contain many OF the features
which were embodied IN the Langley
machine, IS one reason for the decision
/ 10 permit the public 20 see it.
J There has long been Ieeliug among
I the OtnCIais OF The Institution that the
! criticism ana riClcule neaPe0 upon the
inventor and the military officers who
I we're endeaVorlng 70 ard him. both by
members OF Congress and by the press
! not only was cruel, bu. undeserved, ana
/ The subject OF flying NJ chimes has been
q delicate one 10 broacs.
Criticism Unjust.
/ 1T is undoubtedly a fact said Secre-
/ tary Adler TO-DAY. that the criticism,
| abuse, and ridlclle did more 10 cheek
/ the growth OF aerial navigation than
/ any other thing. Snsrepressntauons
were made daily, and the ridicule was
/ so insistent that Congress absolutely
/ forbade the joint board on fortincations
/ from appTopriating a penny 10 continue
| The experiments.
! 1T y as made TO appear that Prof
Langley had surrounded himself with
/ Uunece ssary secrecy As matter OF
/ fact. the Government demanded that
such secrecy be maintained. and ths
I professor, being OF a suy disposition
Z ard OF New England honesty, cCulC- noL
I aUt or his interyiewers facetiously,
and, consequently, had 10 decline 10
say a word"
/ some OF the inside history OF the
fateful flying machine was learnei to-
/ day for the frst time. PROF. Langley
/ had been experimenting n small way
/ since ISIS. He was not possessed OF
sufncient funds 70 carry on the work on
an extensive scale. At that time peO-
pie who talked OF navigating the sky
were looked upon as dreamers- The
late William Thaw, the Pitts5urs HlIltl-
J million aire, and father of Harry tt Sw.
was the only man OF wealth who had
faith IL Prof. Langley's idea
Aided By Roosevelt.
Prof Langley practically finished his
work in 1886, and decided TO let new
hands carry on the experiments he had
/ begun. When it became known in the
inner official circles, early in 1895, that
q. war with Spain was inevitable. Presi-
dent Roosevelt. then Assistant Secretary
OF the Navy. Interested President Nc
! Kinley !n the flying machine, with the
resul. that the joint board on fOrtifca-
tons set aside $4,000 10 be used IN con-
! tinuing the experiments.
! Although the machine failed 70 navi-
gate the air, nearly all OF its important
| features have been used TO advantage
BY other inventors. and this is looked
I upon as a vindication for Prof. Lang
ley. The machine in all probability will
| be used in the future only Tor exhibit
J ton purposes, although Mr. Msnley,
who attempted 10 operate IL, says that
Il can be made TO ny successfully.
one OF its most remarkable features
IS that although constructed of hollow
| steel. instead Of spruce wood as most
| Of the present day machines are, II
weighed when ready for flying and with
its operator acoard only $50 pounds.
~ To IEAHnII