Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-30
Mans CONQUEST of the Air.

All sorts of fantastic schemes for pen
etrating the ether are brought to mind
by the remarkable balloon ascension of
Picard and Kipfer of Germany which
carried them to within a short margin
of ten miles above the surface. Rocket
plans for planetary flight, propounded
in the past and revived in recent times,
are brought anew to attention. Jules
Verne's romance comes to immediate
memory, with its projectile visit to the
moon. Even before the daring German
scientists returned safely to earth new
projects for stellar adventures were
bruited. The fact is that ever since
man began to look above him to the
heavens he has been hoping to investi-
gate that vast void.
It was, however, in no spirit Of ro-
nance that the German physicist and
his assistant sealed themselves into an
air tight aluminium globe and let go the
holding lines that freed great gas
bag for its flight into the stratosphere.
They were after certain indefinite-or
perhaps deflnite-data concerning the
character of the tenuous atmosphere
that lies above the denser stratum
known as "air," which is the life giver
to man. Prof Picard had an idea that
he might find up there something that
would premise future sources of power
for the use of humanity. Whether he
has found it remains to be disclosed
when he has figured out his notes and
computations.
Does it sound irrational to suggest
that there may be measureless reser-
voirs or currents of force ten or so miles
above the earth's surface? Did it not
sound irrational a few decades ago to
suggest that there were forces in the
atmosphere that would transmit sound
without wires? And even little while
ago, just very few years, it sounded
absurd to propose that those forces or
currents or vibrations could, If har-
messed and directed, transmit vision
over virtually linitless distances? Radio
and television are here today. 1t is
unwise to ridicule the suggestion of Pic
card that the stratosphere may be
tapped for mans working force.
1t was only thirty years ago that the
proposition that man could fly with the
aid of fixed wings and driving motor
was considered to be the dream of the
impractical. Today there are flying
over the City of Washington some seven
hundred airplanes, in a massed for
nation, flying without mishap, after
many days of maneuvers over other
cities. People look at them with pride
but without establishment. There is a
thrill in the great number present on
the same occasion, but ncne in the fact
that man has mastered the atmosphere
for transportation. That is definitely
accepted.
Whether higher ascents than ten miles
can be achieved is not 30 important as
whether there is anything to be gained
from greater penetration into the upper
atmosphere. Mere multiplication does
not signify anything save spectacle, and
there is little lasting value in mere spec
tacle. If Picard, or another, goes
twelve miles high and gets something
definite in the way of technical ad-
vancement it will be worth all it costs in
preparatory expense and even in the
sacrifice of life.
The world at large is paying no par
ticular attention to the seven hundred
planes that are darkening the skies
Of the American Capital today. 1t is
keenly attentive to the balloon that has
just carried two men to the highest
point Of ascent known in human his
tory.