Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-09
MAY ASK CONGRESS
Promoters of Aviation Need an
Aerodynamic Laboratory

IUiIiUlCI > VI HVIdliUIi VCCu al
Aerodynamic Laboratory
FOR TEST OF AIR CURRENTS
Proposed That United States Shall
Establish Institution Similar to
That at Leipzig.
What is next wanted in aviation circles
in Washington is an aerodynam.c labora-
tory. The question of providing the lab
oratory has been discussed among a
number of the members of the Washing
ton Aero Club and others interested In
| the progress of aviation, and while no
definite move has been made toward es-
tablishing such an institution. it is
thought the national government can be
induced to take up the work and estab-
lish a testing laboratory that will be OF
benefit 10 the whole country.
Such a laboratory has been established
in several countries in Europe notably at
Leipzig. where there is one we'll equipped.
II is almost pioneer field, for while
there has been much done by aviators In
the way of building nying machines and
some little private experimenting carried
out, the great underlying laws governing
the action of wind currents and all the
kind ed phenomena are practically d
sealed book.
Up to the Government.
There seems to be nobody to take up
the work except the government. The
Smithsonian Institution says it has no
funds available for the work, and the
Carnegie Institution says it regards it
more as a commercial problem than one
of research in the domain of pure science.
The War Department wants such work
done, but there has not even been an
estimate for aeronautic work from the
Secretary of War this year, and the Navy
Department is even behind the War De-
partment in the realm of aeronautics.
There is one department of the govern
ment which is equipped for the beginning
standards. But there is no money avail
able for extended work there, though any
especial problem could be taken up il
there was urgent need for it.
Capacity of Leipzig Laboratory.
The laboratory in Leipzig, Germany, is
equipped with wind tunnel of oval form
in which speeds up to 100 miles an hour
can be obtained. 1t has special shields at
the corner turnings for Strengthening out
the air currents and very delicate meas
uring apparatus located outside the tun-
mel for noting the speed of the wind. the
tfn 1rtf -Sf Il
resistance of various shaped bodies. This,
OF course, is only one feature of the
work There are machines for testing
the various shaped blades of propeliers,
the lift of heliocoptres and for determine
ing the various practical points that
arise in building flying machine.
1t has been stated that the nucleus for
such an experiment station exists at the
bureau of standards, where there has al
ready been some work done in testing the
strength of cordage and Of balloon ma
terials. The institution already has the
grounds and the essential power plant
and has men trained In making careful
Conversations. Therefore it would cost
good deal less 1t is contended, to estab-
ish such laboratory an adjunct to
the bureau than 1t would to start spe-
cial institution for this class of work.
The argument is it would be more or less
like the model tank at the navy yard.
where one or two expert men with few
mechanical assistants secure the data
that is subsequently worked up and forms
such an important factor in the plans of
the bureau of construction.
In all probability the work of such a
laboratory would be taken advantage of
by the commercial world just as tests
are made for commercial shipbulidnig
firms in the navy yard testing tank
Comment Upon the Proposition.
Secretary Walcott of the Smithsonian
Institution, in speaking of the need for
such work, said it was an almost I'M
touched field and one in which there was
great need for practical research work
He said he regretted the inability Of the
Smithsonian Institution to establish such
a testing plant, but that II seemed to
him now that the building Of flying ma
chinese has become commercial pur-
suit chat 1t was commercial prob EN-
which would be worked out by those en-
gagged in this line.
President Woodward of the Carnegie In
stitutiOn said the work had passed the
stage where it was of interest to his in
stitution as purely scientific problem,
and he thought it would have to be
worked out on commercial basis by the
firms interested.
1t is barking back little in history to
recall the fact that Andrew Carnegie has
lost several opportunities to air aerial
navigation. He was asked by Prof. Lang
ley to help him in his experimental work
at Pittsburg when the problem of the
flying machine was regarded as little
better than a chimera chased by cranks.
1t was at this time that William Thaw,
the father of Harry Thaw, gave Prof
Langley the first 5000 which he used in
his experiments with the "whirling ia ble."
Rejects Wright Project.
At the time the Wrights had perfected
their flying machine an effort was made
to secure the patents for 100000 and
throw them open to the world. Mr.. Car
negie was approached on this proposition
also. but declined his assistance, it is said,
and the Wrjghts have since made several
times that amount I'm selling their patent
rights to foreign firms.
II Is estimated that it would take about
$4,000 to start such an aerOdynamic lab
oratory as is wanted to begin the work of
research in Washington, and this amount
probably would be repaid a number OF
times in the additional progress that the
United States would be able to make in
The art of mechan cal flights. 1t is pos
sib'e that bill for the establishment of
such IA laboratory will be introduced in
Congress at the present session, but moth
ing definite has so far been done.
MATTER 0E EIIEI. AND ENGINE