The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1909-09-22

Ogo Ancilotti's famous act of Loopinp the C
top was small platform. One section of the
steel tower supported an incline that curved i'm.
ward at the lower extremity. like the tail of a
monster s. The ether section of the framework
supported half moonshaped, wooden receiving
runway. that extended to the ground. The gap
between the end of the initial runway and the re.
ceiving runway probably twenty feet
Prior to the sen atfonal ride the placed
on the platform at the apex OF the tower. The
chautfeuse was drawn up to the PLATFORM took
her pace in the car, was securely fastened in
grasped the steering Wheel" which, OF course
mad no control over the machine, and indicated
to the equestrian director that she was ready
The suspense was usually prolonged as long as
psychological conditions would permit. The audi
ence would become strangely still. Men and
women, with whitening faces. and in evident trep-
dation looked up at the smiling "driver" with
varying degrees of eagerness, curiosity fear OF
positive terror.
Presently, clear and distinct, sounded the voice
OF the equestrian director:
are you ready?"
All ready" came the reply.
"Thon-go!
There was the click of a releasing brake. a
forward movement OF the car and the next mo-
ment the "Auto-Meteor' flashing down the
incline at rate of speed equal to a railway en-
press. For two-thirds the distance the car
manned upright AS it reached the loop of the
s. however, its position was reversed, and for
distance OF thirty feet although still following
the curvature OF the loop the and its driver
it reached the end of the runway and shot into
space. Striking the second runway or curved re-
celvlng platform with its forward wheels but still
inverted, the car quickly righted ITSELF ran TO the
ground, sped along the track for few feet and
came to a stop The driver" smiling and unhurt
sprang from the car. and amid the applause of
the thrilled and startled audience bowed her way
through the exit. Then the crowd awed and vet
excited passed out.
IT HE Autol'olide beautiful act from cir
Gus standpoint. But it a mechanical toy.
the chaufeuse had absolutely control over the
machine The whole thing was marvelouslv con
ceived and splendidly constructed piece of me
chanlcal engineering.
"What keeps the car on the track?" neople
asked in wonder.
This was apparently the great mystery AS
matter OF fact there was no mystery about it. The
audience could not discover it. but the large
wheels of the auto did not touch the track i'm the
descent. although they revolved There was
second track, or rather two tracks, so constructed
that small wheels on the aXles of the car ran UNI
der instead OF on top, of them. This made it i'm
possible for the automobile to run Off the track
until it reached the end Of the 81 and shot into
the air. The curved receiving platform was three
tunes the width OF the initial runway, and its dis
lance and angle We're so beautifully calculated
that the car, instead of striking it with full force
hit it on the downward drop and thus saved the
occupant the full shock of the impact The
driver wore a protective belt. with buckles and
by means OF straps fastened to the sides of the
car, she virtually swung in hammock This
was, of course, the best kind of shock absorber
The best evidence that, so far as the shock was
concerned there was no especial danger in
AutoBollde act, was the fact that the pulse of the
chaufeuse, after she accustomed to the ride
did not vary five beats taken Immediately
before and after the ordeal.
The truth about the Auto-Ioolide is that with
the apparatus properly erected and barring
breakage the danger was reduced to a minimum
in fact, not thousandth part of what the audi
ence might naturally be led to expect. The fact