The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-02-04
CARRIER PIGEONS AS PHOTO,
GRAPHERS.

An ingenius apothecary OF Cronberg.
Germany, as far back as in the forties
Of the last century, organized car
rier pigeon mail for the conveyance
Of prescriptions from the surrounding
villages to his shop. and the same idea
was taken up a few years ago by his
son, DR.. Neubronner, who even eX-
tended 10 to the transport of small
quantities OF medicaments, Now the
fact that one of his winged messeng
ers once was delayed Unexpectedly,
suggested the idea of recording his
route by means Of Photographic views.
Or. Neubronner accordingly provided
the pigeon with miniature camera,
ef1ecting by an acknowledgements
shutter some very satisfactory photo
graphic views, and this success in
duced him to design a special photo
graphic apparatus illustrated herewith,
which allows up TO thirty views OF
1k inches square to be obtained at
very short intervals. The task of con-
struotlng an automatic camera with at
most inches focal distance, the
weight of which, including all acces-
sories, must not exceed 2la ounces
(the maximum load readily transport
ed by carrier pigeons) evidently was
by no means an easy one.
One type of apparatus comprises
two self"contained cameras with
lenses pointing forward and back
ward respectively. SO as TO obtain az
least one view Of the ground In any
position Of the pigeon. The two
cameras are fitted in a light frame
OF aluminium, attached by straps and
rubber bands 10 the body of the bird.
The shutter is released by a spoon
shaped lever the cavity of which Is
thrown outward by a rubber ball filled
with air and perforated by 4 minute
opening. AS the air escapes, the rub
Der ball collapses, permitting the lever
to disenGage the shutter In the case
OF another form of apparatus a single
lens is used in connection with
film, on which a number oil success.
siye exposures are made by rubber
ball and clock mechanism at given
intervals of, say one-half minute.
AS carrier pigeon, after starting
at first describes a spiral line, it is
quite easy to take number of views
Of given portion OF the ground from
different points Of view. After once
determining the position of its cote
(Which it recognizes from a distance
of upward Of 20 miles) the pigeon
flies toward Its goal in straight line
and at the uniform speed of an eX
press train, so that the route to be
recorded photographically can be
readily determined in advance.
photographer pigeons are likely to
prove useful primarily for strategical
purposes. From besieged places, they
allow the positions OF the beleaguer-
ers TO be ascertained, while the latter
in similar manner can obtain In
formation as to the topography OF the
besieged Or, Neubronner has de-
vised for this special purpose trans
tongs mechanism whereby they may
be raised TO afford suitable launch
ing point for the pigeons. The Ger
man military authorities have shown
much interest in this matter inviting
the inventor TO conduct some expert
ments In conjunction with the balloon
CORPS at Tegel, near Berlin. Photo
Grapher pigeons are likely TO be used
also In connection with dirigIble air
ships. permitting the latter to re-
main at a safe distance from the
ground, while the pigeons when re-
leased will fly near enough to take
any Photographic views desired.