The Washington herald., 1921-06-19

heavier than air flying machines. His machine has
flown, since then. but he died OF broken heart be-
cause OF the jeers and jibes poked at him when his
machine failed to fly as he had prophesied. The APP
paratus with the original motor made in 1905 was
successfully piloted in 1914, and to Langcys memory
must be credited the fact that he the originator
OF the idea OF curved wings and various other parts
of the plane, which ideas in now in our fast
est planes.
One of the wonders which you may see at the
Smithsonian is that first flying machine. Crude. in
deed, does it look alongside Of trim and snappy
modern fighting plane. capable of $50 miles an hour.
But let your imagination roam back to the thoughts
which in the mind Of the man as he built that
plane, and then figure that he right. though
one would admit it, That knowledge will conquer in
the end, OF the things which James Smthson
probably had in mind when he left his 10000 golden
sovcreigns in its name.
TT would be impossible to record all the wonders
which to be in the Museum in anything
= short of a library of fat books. Japanese celor
printing from wooden blocks, be seen in all its
stages. and clearly understood. The skeleton of
whale. eighty feet long. hangs from the ceiling
in of the Lifelike figures of savages re-
gard you stocally from inside glass where they
are showing for the benefit OF who live in cities
what primitive conditions really like in Alaska,
the South Sea islands and in Esqumau lands.
Have you ever seen a meteoric rock? Something
which ont of the air. from whence no human
mind yet knows-which flies through the air under
the driving forces which possibly have created it, at
such speed that it flames like torch, which
frontpage stories-spccimens of these rocks
exhibit for anyone who to study and think
of the mysteries of the ethereal spaces.
Realism has been aim of the Museum in
ranging its exhibits The groups of Indians and other
show nearly possible the natural surround
ngs the occupations and the costumes. Parts Of the
Museum give the impression of being surrounded
by silent people who able to you. and do
everything but speak
In mineral technology the models of mining and
industrial processes shown with every detail in
absolute accuracy fact So startlngiy real these
exhibits that curious accidents result. In
section of mine had been transferred with the gal
lcrics timbers and ore, in its entirety, to the Museum
and set mp exactly as it had been in the Western
mining lands In dark the shaft seemingly
led down the depths of the EARTH but actually the
painted hole four feet deep Its dark mouth fool
ed lady who accidentally dropped her hat into the
hole. and gave it up for lost The guard hearing her
give startled gasp, jumped bravey into the hole,
and stood up to his waist, while the party of sight
stood aghas ...-.
Besides the thousands eof interesting physical OBJ
jccts which may be seen, the Smithsonian conducts
various scientific researches to add to the knowledge
of mankind" One of these which attracted much
tcnton when it announced the proposal to
shoot the moon with huge skyrocket
This idea and the work of carrying it out is in
the hands of Prof. Robert H. Goddard. His problem
is really to devise type of multiple charge high
efficiency rocket which will carry various recording
instruments the hitherto unknown upper layers Of
the carths atmosphere. In addition, he must provide
for the safe of these instruments to earth,
the records may be studied
TXPLORERS go to all parts of the earth under
r the direction OF the Smithsonian Several par
ties in the field. and returned from
Africa last fall where it had spent time in
collecting animals and plants add the marvellous
collection of African specimens already in the Mu
scum. Many specimens given the Museum by
Roosevelt Paul Rainey and other sportsmen.
These expeditions are always attended by dan
gers. In this African trip two killed. two
injured, fcvers from hordes of tropical
insects and trouble was encountered with the fatal