The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-08-23
MODERN A|RSH|PS
ALL WRONG, SAYS
AGED NEWARkER
John c. Young Believes That
Only a Machine Patented After
a Bird Will Be a Success.
HAS MADE INTIMATE
STUDY OF SITUATION
Many FOrceful Arguments in His
Interview on the Aerial OUT
look for the Future.

1.-THE present flying machine, with
the car beneath and its mode of con-
struction is all wrong, and it can never
be commercialized on the plans hat
are being carried out today said John
C. Young. 80 years old. of IS Earl street,
this city. today. Mr., Young takes as
much interest in modern aerial navi-
cation as the Wrights, count Zeppelin
and Bieriot. who claim that they have
scientifically solved the problem of this
century's most advanced mode of nayi-
cation.
Although nearly blind and forced to
use a cane to assist him in getting
down to the -Four Corners, " he is re-
b markably optimistic and nothing
pleases him more than to discuss his
favorite topic. 1.-The wild duck-shaped
flying machine" which he declares will
evntually revolutionize sky-hying.
He was born in this city in Novem-
her. 1920. when the local population was
a little more thar 1000, and, with the
exception of several years spent in New
York State, San Francisco and the
West. has lived here all his life.
Present Views All Wrong.
II have been making an intimate
study of the flying machine said Mr..
Young. when seen yesterday, 'and the
methods used by the present aerial
navigators. and contend that their
views are all wrong. If were a young
man I would show the young fellows
something.
THE present mode of placing the pas
senger ear, or navigator. underneath
the body of the machine is a mechari-
cal mistake, and the idea will have to
be abandoned, if the air is to be com
able flying machines.
The Wrights, Bleriots and Zeppelins
seem to have forgotten natures la VS.
governing navigation entirely.
MY theory, and the one that can
alone prove successful eventually, is to
PdltSih III 1idNlliliF dlAEi lit -
duck. which not only flies in the air.
but can buoy himself and travel swiftly
or the water.
Does a duck nave its wings. or
power. centered at the front of its
body? Not at all. The wings or mo
tive propellers have been paced by ma
ture on either side of the body and in
such a position as to give the least
resistance and greatest volume of speed
with the smallest waste of energy.
Equilibrium Necessary.
1T requires nc scientific man to re-
slize that my theory Of a direct centre
of gravity and an equilibrium bearing
of the body is absolutely necessary to
secure a perfect flying machine.
Why, il appears to me quite ridlcu-
lous to see a man riding beneath a big
bag of gas, or a cy.inder-shaped balloon
and hear him declare that he has solved
aerial navigation.
What would you think of the trolley
company if they placed the trucks on
top of the car and had the passenger
coach beneath, supported by an over
head bearing? f..
You would say it was foolish. THAI;
Is Just how the present aerial system
looks TO me.
'The duck, when it rises in the air,
being centrally balanced, asSumes an
angle of about 45 degrees, with the
head pearched high, and when the bird
comes down it simply changes the CEN
tire pivot of g%ravitation and reaches
the ground at the same angle, but with
the head low.
weight should BE Distributed.
THE perfect flying machine should
have all the power oentered below, and
the volume of weight of the apparatus
thus distributed where there would be
the least resistance when the machine
attempts to rise.
when the car returns to a landing
it can dip gracefully, If properly centre
pivoted. and will reach the ground like
a duck. in the natural God-given way
IF YOU want an Endorsement of my
theory just iook at the great ocean
liner. with its thousands of tons of steel
and ron
Still that ponderous mass Of bulk,
constructed after natures laws, and
shaped like a duck, with its clean-cut
bow, evenly keeled and gagged. and its
four propeller shafts of motive power,
engines and stoke rooms below decks.
with passengers and staterooms above,
skins across the water at a tremendous
clip.
THAT same principle must be ap-
piled to aerial navigation, and until II
is. no perfect commereializing of the air
will ever be realized"
Mr.. Young's views show a wonder
fully we'll preserved intellect for a man
of his age. Aside from the loss of his
eyesight, his health is remarkably good,
and he remembers his old birthplace, N
Academy street, near High, and the
time when General Lafayette passed
through Newark, when he was a small
boy. Until his retirement, some years
ago, he followed the occupation Of an
accountant.