Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-10-09
SANTOS-DUMONT WAS THE
FIRST REAL AIR PASSENGER

straps and pulleys. and then set of to win
the Deutsch prize.
This was the donation Of Henry
Deutsch, a wealthy member Of the Aero
Club. and the amount was $4,000.
But the conditions imposed made It Q
difficult test.
The conditions prescribed that the win
ming aeronaut should start his airship
from the Aero Club Park. an inclosed
hillside on the Seine near Longchamps.
sail to and around the Ethel Tower. re-
turn and land in the park, without having
touched ground or anything else during
the journey and to be back at the starting
point within a, half hour.
Taking his place in the basket. Santos
Dumont made his start. 1t did not at
first look like race against time The
balloon rose sluggishly. then slowly and
gracefully veered and pointed its nose
neared the shadowy obelisk line which
was the tower. He rounded it In thirteen
minutes and looked to have q safe lead to
win the prize, but on the way back his
motor. naturally not the finished kind Of
device that Is now used, got into trouble.
the gardens of the Baron Rothschild.
But though the trip had not resulted
in complete success II had demonstrated
to the world one thing, that the science
OF navigating the air had taken a great
forward step. that balloon could be
steered.
Then the inventor related a description
Of his machine. he traced the steps, he
told how the first balloon he had ever
had was known as the Brazil and that
1t was so absurdIy small that after re-
turning from a flight he could wrap the
balloon up and carry 1t under his arm
But it never satisfied him because It was
entirely under control Of the wind; II was
nothing more than the old-fashioned gas
bag OF z century ago. Then he tried =
new experiment, one which was impor-
tant because 1t was the first step In q
mighty progress. He put the engine OF
his automobile into the balloon. This il
the first time on record that gasoline was
applied as the motive power OF airship.
The whole world ,marveled at the feat
of sailing around the Eiffel Tower, and
inventors all over the world seeing the
possibilities began their experiments.
stand still. The dirigible airship had
been demonstrated success. He had
built about ten of them. He had steered
and controlled them before the people
of half a dozen nations.
Next he would take up the aeroplane.
This was In 1905. and one Of his first
flights was over the field of Bagatelle
His craft was called 1.-THE Bird of Prey"
What 1t accomplished has of course been
surpassed by the performances Of those
who have come later. but it is undeniable
that they owe him a lot for their ideas.
The Bird of Prey flew into the air
under perfect control. the aeronaut steer
ed it deftly, quickly and surely as die
would have done his automobile. He sailed
it against the four winds. he showed
that 1t was superior to any breeze that
might blow. Down long lanes OF people
Santos-Dumont steered his wonderful air
ship, perfectly balanced and as steady as
a veritable bird.
Unlike many inventors. Santos-Dumont
has made no secret OF any Of his various
airships. Fullest details about them have
been at the disposal of any who might
inquire. Nor has he ever patented a
terested in navigating the air purely as
a fad. andehas no desire to make money
out of anything he may discover. With
ample wealth at his command, there Is
to prevent him from indulging
in his fad.
Now he is working on q combined mo-
tor car and aeroplane which will run
along the ground or fly at the will of the
operator. 1t is said that he has gone SO
Tar ahead with his invention that It will
soon be shown.
Il is q curious contradiction that from
the coffee fields Of Brazil rather than
from the capitals Of Europe should come
the man who Is really the inspiration OF
the last few years wonderful advance An
conquering the air.
IF you agree with every thing a per-
son says that person will think you have
good judgment"
..I dunno. I've tried that unsuccsss.
wtfes-P1ttsburg Post