Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-20
BY R. o. TODD.

~ EATH by suffocationi"
This has been the oficial ver-
dict pronounced following so
many seaplane crashes during
the last few years that the United
States Navy has directed its vast stan Of re-
search experts to find If possible, solution Of
the cause of these disasters and provide q
remedy. Now, after almost every conceivable
kind Of experimentation, putting into play the
very latest knowledge that science can muster,
It is believed in official quarters that success
IS right around the corner.
This high degree Of optimism is based on the
astonishing results of recent tests made with
q tiny device, weighing somewhere between six
and eight pounds, which looks like cross be-
tween gas mask and headgear for deep-sea
divers. Worn In collapsed form about the
waist. beneath the parachute it in no way in
terferes with the pilots maneuvers at the con-
troll stick and is so simply designed that when
q crash has occurred the aviator, by the mere
pressure Of q valve. can I'LL the device with
enough oxygen to keep him alive for some
time. Moreover, the wearer's body Is made
so buoyant that he is able to keep afloat until
help arrives.
This new aviator,s safety belt was developed
by two Government experts, whose experience
and ability have made them peculiarly fitted for
their task. r. M Hohson, young civilian en-
gineer Of the Naval Bureau of Construction and
Repair. has long been identified with the de-
velopment Of many important inventions de-
signed to make more safe the lives Of men who
spend most of their time in submarines where
as C. L. Tibbals. chief gunner Of the Navy.
has spent close to 20 years testing out such
devices.
thus one expert represents the best theory
that highly technical background can
OFFER. while the other represents the practical
knowledge necessary to utilize that theory TO
the highest degree of perfection Close friends
as well Is intimate colleagues, certain Of their
associates have been known 10 dub tlem ''the
invention twins" due to their habit Of working
together on new ventures.
Not only are the twins possessed Of wide
ly different backgrounds, but their appearances
and personalities are likewise in marked eon-
trast. Hobson Is slim, wiry young man with
an extremely unassuming manner. Tibbals,
probably 10 years older, Is Q brawny, thick-set
fellow, whose fatherly smile Is known through
out the washington Navy Yard.
Give Hobson few maps and charts and he
can accomplish wonders. Omit these technical
adjuncts when chatting with T1bbalS and ten
him in honest. everyday American what you
want done, and he, too, will achieve miracles
with couple Of pieces.o of heavy tubing and
rubber hose.
Chief Gunner Tibbals tells an absorbing
story OF how he and his pal were able to de-
velop the apparatus that almost certainly will
make aviation history. 1t seems that In 1917,
as Government authority on oxygen-breath-
ing devices for use In saving the lives Of men
trapped In sunken submarines he had reasoned
that the same general principles might SOME
day be applied to advantage for an apparatus
to save aviators who crashed In seaplanes from
death by suffocation.
The problem resolved itself into finding way
% combine the safety elements Of the heavy
diving apparatus with the simplicity Of the gas
eli hx rain aw snsa INV
soldiers. But Tibbals had so many other mat
tiers on his mind which were Of immediate Inn
portance that his inventive dream was slow in
finding chance to materialize.
Nevertheless, it did not die. During many
spare moments the big fellow might be found
piecing bits Of spare tubing together or fddling,
in seeming idieness, with sections Of heavy
rubber. Meantime, his growing reputation rs
an authority on diving apparatus gave him
frequent opportunity TO take careful note Of
virtually every kind Of oxygen breathing APP
paratus used by the various nations
Quite Unexpectedly, q few months ago, Ttb-
balls, along with his good friend Robson. was
given his chance. Navy Ofneials, disguised
with the futile efforts OF many so-called ayie-
ton experts to reduce the number OF deaths
by drowning rs the result Of seGplane crashes,
turned to submarine authorities for sOlu-
ton of their problem. -.
Just prior to this decision, quite few tests
had been made with o rubber boat contrap-
ton, supposed 10 be carried by the seaplaAe
flyer along with his chute. This device. made
in collapsible form and including two bottles
of compressed air, seemed TO work well enough,
but it had the great disadvantage of all its
predecessors-it was too bulky and heavy.
weighing, when inflated. is or 20 pounds.
ALI Of which explains why the Bureau Of
Navigation Of the Navy in the usual for
NAL letter written on such occasions, took
pains to urge .Tibbals and Hohson to concern
trate their efforts toward developing an oxygen