Secure Modes of Exploring the Cold and Hot Regions of the Earth by Means of Centers of Elevation and Depression, with Reference to Volcanic, Aqueous, and Meteorological Forces, and of Routes Suspended with or without Balloons.
Year: 1898

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 18th July, 1898
Secure Modes of Exploring the Cold and Hot Regions of the Earth by
Means of Centers of Elevation and Depression, with Reference to
Volcanic, Aqueous, and Meteorological Forces, and of Routes
Suspended with or without Balloons.
I; Miss CLARA LOUISA WELLS, residing at Bordighera (Liguria), Italy, to be
addressed, Presso La Banca di Bordighera, Bordighera (Liguria), Italy, of no
calling or profession, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement;-
The Creator of the Universe has established volcanoes and springs, emitting
fire and heat, in the vicinity of the North and South Poles; and there are very
high mountains, their summits covered with snow, in the Torrid Zones and near
the Equator.
Instead, therefore, of exposing the lives of courageous men, who endeavor to.
reach these regions, in frail vessels, steamers, or solitary balloons, hazarding all
with little probability of success, this specification describes a secure mode of
reaching, either the Poles or the Equator, by using "centers of elevation and de-
pression, of the volcanic, aqueous and meteorological forces"; combined with sus-
pended and other railways, balloon routes. balloons for raising impediments or
submerged objects, as well as for aid in walking, to persons, and draught-animals,
and the like.
Centers for volcanic forces and hot springs will be constructed near each
volcano or lot-spring, beginning with those most accessible, and thence proceed-
ing to another, in the direction of the desired exploration, facilitating mutual
communication, by the establishment of suspended railways, balloon routes and
the like.
In this way, advance can be made in whatever direction, having always re-
served, secure communication with the last center, and by means of large tubes,
pneumatic pumps, or the like, carrying the heat along, from one center to the.
other, while the necessities for life, and those employed, may be conveyed over
suspended railways, balloon routes, or the like.
In the same way, for the Torrid Zones, centers may be established there, in the.

page_text: vicinity of high mountains, so that, through large tubes, put in communication
with reservoirs of cold air, brought from above, or even created artificially, a con-
stant transmission of cold aid and ozone, will render supportable the sojourn, also,
in the Torrid Zones; never proceeding forwards, without having established com-
plete communications with the last center, both for the respirable air and for the
aerial routes and other railways.
Thus, advance can be made, either towards the Poles, with the establishment
of centers, heated and furnished with the above-mentioned means of communica-
tion, or, towards the Equator, with the establishment of centers, furnished with
fresh air and also well-connected with the preceding centers, by means of aerial
or railway lines, thus preserving always a sure communication with the Temperate
Zones, from center to center.
1. Describing more precisely in detail, the centers for volcanic forces; these
are sites, where are established, the necessary apparatus and lodgings for those
employed, who are to make defences, ditches and canals, kept in order, so that
the lava, dross, and the like, issuing, may be guided down to appropriate stations,
where, hardening, they may be transported, by sea, river, or railway, to places
needing them. At the same time, adjacent sites, cultivated or inhabited, will
be protected.
These works, (to be accomplished in centers established near each active
volcano), will be done in times of inactivity, according to the evidences of past
movements and when the activity is too strong to be guided, and wishing to
diminish it, it will be necessary to prolong the lower slopes of the volcanoes,
extending into the sea, supposing the exciting influx of the sea, to be the principal
cause of the most terrible volcanic phenomena.
2. In these centers, the volcanic heat may be absorbed into appropriate recep-
tacles, furnished with tubes specially constructed and covered with substances
adapted to prevent the escape or diminution of the heat, transportable to indus-
trial establishments of whatever kind, to centers of exploration of the cold regions,
to public and private buildings, and to great distances, if desired, by means of
large, covered tubes, placed underground, or with the same system of conduits
used for potable water.
3. In these centers, there may be deposits, or accumulators, appropriate to the
reception of the various gases and minerals to be absorbed, or withdrawn from
the evaporations and eruptions, issuing from the craters and lateral openings of
the volcanoes, by means of pumps joined to tubes, or other means adapted for
their transportation to the sites needing them.
4. These centers will be furnished with convenient means of access; with
different tramways; with aerial locomotion with railways, also suspended
vehicles and the like, as well as with hotels and restaurants, when there are none
in the vicinity.
5. Centers, near inactive volcanoes, or sites subject to earthquakes, will be fur-
nished with similar means for utilizing the gases and heat of these localities;
and efforts will be made, by sinking tubes, using pumps, and by means of artesian
wells and tunnels, to gradually draw forth the gases and the like, producing the
movement, reservoiring, with care such as may be useful and thus diminishing
the probability of earthquakes, after strict researches into the phenomena of pre-
vious occurrence, according to the site; and also, obliging the owners of unsafe
constructions to remedy such defects.
Aqueous centers will be made, near the issues of hot and cold springs, with
similar object, that is, of sinking tubes to the greatest possible depth, following
the direction of the springs, in order to facilitate the flow of the water, increase
its quantity, and utilize the gases and minerals obtained from it, as also the water
itself, by carrying it, as hot as possible, to machines and industries, in order to
economize coal or other combustible.
Meteorological centers will have, for chief object, the defence of important
sites, inhabited or cultivated, from cyclones or very strong winds.

page_text: 1. By the erection, against the strongest winds of the site, of wide and high
walls, covered with useful vegetation, as vines, fruit-trees, vegetables and flowers.
2. By massing together earth-mounds, or artificial mountains, as a protection
against the predominating winds, from the north, east, or west, grouping them in
form of defence against the most annoying blasts of the region, but without
forgetting the rules of the picturesque, in their relative positions.
3. To aid sailors and navigators, against cyclones and tempests, centers will be
established upon islands, enlarged, fortified at the bases, and protected by similar
elevations, mountains, or walls, on the sides most exposed to the winds, being
also furnished with the necessary conveniences for giving comfort and aid to
those traveling on the sea.
4. When such islands do not exist in the regular lines of navigation,-upon
some rock-projections, or where there is little depth of water,-will be placed solid
iron-foundations, or mixed with those of stone and masonry, forming artificial
islands, which, as the natural islands above described, will be furnished with all
possible means of safety, for those in danger, or in need of aid, and in suitable
positions for stopping-places, too, as far as the existence of such projections and
foundations, adapted to these erections, will permit.
The balloon lines will be made according to the various demands presented
by the subscriber, in the years 1887-8; accepted patented in England and pub-
lished, copyrighted internationally, in London, (No. 15,850, A.D. 1890.) and in-
troduced into Italy; that is;
Balloon lines consist in the establishment of regular lines for aerial locomotion,
with stations for passengers and baggage; the aerial carriages with balloons,
being fastened, according to one system, to rings, much larger than the lines
upon which they are to run, and these rings will be protected, and the whole
kept in place, within an iron-tube, grooved, and open above, so as to give free
course to the cords bearing the balloons, with the rings, over the large cable in
the tube.
The iron-tube will have iron-supports, here and there, integrally inserted on
each side of the tube, and strongly fastened to the ground, or to the bottom of
the water, or upon the sand, in which case, other additional weights will be added
to the iron-supports.
Another system may be the following; the cord holding the balloon, passes
through a hole, (or holes, if more than one cord is used), in the upper, shorter
part of an iron-parallelogram, within which, below the hole traversed by the cord
bearing the balloon, there is a small wheel, (its axle attached to the sides of the
parallelogram), which runs over a round iron-rail, passing through the parallelo-
gram, and terminating at the stations. Attached to the same parallelogram,
below the rail, there is a cord-wheel, (its axle also fixed in the sides of the
parallelogram), over which passes the cord of the stationary locomotive. When
the central wheel of the parallelogram advances over the iron-rail, it bears with
it the balloon, fastened to the upper part of the parallelogram, as also the cord-
wheel, which draws with it the cord of the stationary engine, to the other station,
whence it may easily be withdrawn by the same cord, which can serve also as
bold-back or break. Return-balloons, by a just balance, may be established, upon
a corresponding line between the two stations, and all can be protected by iron-
defences, at need.
Another system of motion, is that of an electric weight, running on the same
principle with electric roads, (that is, joined by wires to the electric accumulators).
and running within the hollowed or grooved tube, bearing in its course, the cord
attached to the aerial vehicle. Such an electric propeller may serve also as aid
to the two systems above-described. It may be of form and material adapted to
the size of the balloon.
6
The object of this invention being to obtain secure modes of exploring the cold
and hot regions of the earth." that of aerial locomotion, being one of the most
important, a detailed description is necessary, showing how it may be made safe,

page_text: agreeable, and possible for all. Its first application in the center chosen, may
be, as a city-tramway, passing on each side of the street, and separated by railings,
for more safety. The aerial vehicles may pass at a low elevation, and there may
be lines for passengers in the fashionable streets, and lines for baggage and
merchandise in the business streets, thus freeing the general movement, from all
that which is disagreeable to meet.
In the same manner, stage-balloons may take their vehicles along railways,
at a safe distance on each side; and also, along the provincial roads, easily
accomplishing, thus, the work, which often produces, now, much suffering to
draught-animals, overladen, and too frequently, cruelly treated.
Still more saving of work for animals may be obtained by the desert-balloon,
as also by that of the mountain or funicular. In the first case, such aerial lines
will replace the constant, fatiguing labor of camels in caravans; and, from the
facility with which the cord attached to the balloon, can be lengthened or
shortened, one can go above or below the simoon; balloons, bearing water, may
easily supply arid sites; and the inhabitants of those regions will perforce
recognize the superiority of science to war and barbarity. To the mountains,
the funicular balloon will give new life, making the most isolated summits
inhabitable, and saving the all-suffering mule and horse, from its dangerous
journeys, with heavy burdens, up and down, from distant hills and mountain-
ridges.
Nor would it be difficult for private persons to add a branch to the public
lines, so that, a noble could enter his soft, elegant aerial vehicle, at his own door;
and the merchant, from his shop, could conveniently send the packages in his own
modest, but very neat balloon-cart, to the residences of the purchasers. For such
complication of lines, there would be need of succursal-stations.
When the ascent is to be made, the cord holding the balloon's vehicle, may be
at once lengthened, to almost the desired height, or the balloon may advance,
gradually mounting, near the ground; in either manner, the balloon, (as well
as the suspended cars, moving on cables, of the subscriber's invention), offers the
great advantage over the funicular-elevator, of not passing through tunnels or
hollowed routes, where, if no accident takes place, at least the fine prospect is
lost, chief source of pleasure in such excursions!
By placing the extremity of the cord fastened to the balloon within an iron-
tube, having integral supports, as above-described, and held down by means of
weights and cross-beams, or buried supports united by transverse bars, the aerial
vehicle becomes of great advantage for traversing bodies of water, all being
strongly established upon the bed of the water to be crossed. The cable, (within the
submerged iron-tube), similar to that used for the submarine telegraph, will
hold well against the weight of the water, and by the aid of traction, (according
to any of the systems above-described), added to its own movement, the balloon
can conquer ordinary winds, and traverse safely, a river, or arm of water, as a
ford-balloon, or, as a steamer-balloon, can pass around a lake, from town to
town, or across, taking advantage of the islands, or of the projecting points, for
its stations, or choosing also a zigzag-course and when, in mid-ocean, or sea,
there are no such existing projections, there may be erected; as heretofore ex.
plained, meteorological centers, the most extensive and strongest possible, and
furnished with lighthouses, hotels, and means of saving life.
But, if the force of the waves, in large bodies of water, combined with that of
violent winds, should render difficult the advance of the cord, (although, also,
made of iron or steel-wires), fastened to the balloon, this difficulty may be over-
come by another system. Several cables, within tubes, may be submerged,
having, at certain intervals, attached balloons, united, horizontally, by means of
strong cables, which will have a circular place in the center, over which, or upon
which, will be supported, the cable of the traveling balloon, also placed within
a. light tube, and held strongly at the extremities, in the neighboring stations,
the tube being hasped on to the underlying cables. The whole will form a species

page_text: of balloon-bridge, illuminated at night and in misty weather, and furnished with
fog-bells, so that navigators may avoid the balloon-lines, although the traveling
balloon will pass, in its suspended course, at a sufficient height as not to impede
navigation, while, too, the attached balloons, being moveable upon the sub-
merged lines, can have their position changed, in case of necessity, being also in
number sufficient to maintain the principal cable, upon which will run the cord
of the traveling balloon.
Several storeys, so to speak, of this balloon-bridge, may be made; the traveling
balloons, as above described, changing into balloons, supporting other superior
lines, and continuing thus, the upper strata of the air can be visited, and the
more easily, since the cables of the highest traveling balloon may also be
lengthened, and thus, scientific observations made with greater security. Each
balloon will be furnished with accessible reservoirs of air, or oxygen, hydrogen,
and the like, machines for producing added movement, as by expansion and con-
traction, from heated air, suddenly cooled, moving thus small wings inside that
communicate the motion to larger without, and they may have tubes, for con-
tinuing the air or gas-supplies, from the stations !
They will also be furnished, in case of accident, with grappling lines, to throw,
if possible, so as to catch the lines of the nearest station.
Thus, little by little, without any danger, more exact knowledge can be
obtained of the meteorological phenomena, and, later, with less probability of
mistake, and consequently of fatal accidents, trial may be made in the use of free,
self-directing balloons.
Naturally, with favorable currents of air, a good balloon, well-directed, has
no need of aid, at least, on the point of velocity; but the problem has always
been, how to conduct it in a given course, during, for instance, a hurricane,
always possible; and still worse, what can be done, when such tempests are in
a direction contrary to the desired course?
I compare the balloon to a steam-locomotive, which, sent freely over whatever
road, is sure to do harm, either to the life it bears, or to that encountered;
whilst, restricted to rails, it becomes a sure means of transport, (and of civiliza-
tion). In the same manner, the balloon, always, before my invention, (A.D. 1887),
permitted to wander in the air, almost at the wind's caprice, to the great risk of
courageous aeronauts, becomes a sure mode of locomotion, when limited to cer-
tain lines and routes, as also, with a much more extended result, naturally, than
that possible to a balloon attached to a fixed point, or to one borne along by a
chariot, according to the system previously used in military manoeuvres.
It does not seem possible that self-directing balloons can be as safe as those
running upon cables, with frequent stations and having an added traction-move-
ment, of steam, or electricity, (or other), to aid, and make certain the course, or
to oppose the wind's current.
Nor do I believe that the great velocity possible to a balloon, with a favorable
wind, could be supported by persons of delicate organization; therefore I pro-
pose to add breaks, to prevent too swift a motion, and to stop the aerial vehicle
at whatever point. Such breaks may be added at the stations, in the form of
return-cords, above-described, or break-cords may be placed, passing from the
balloons down to the rings, or wheels, or propellors, within the tubes.
Also, in order to aid in resisting contrary winds, a defence is necessary; this
may be in the form of a sail-kite, easily moved, opened or closed, wholly or
partially and so constructed as to be quickly drawn around the aerial vehicle,
according to the wind-variations.
Another improvement of my invention is the use of several smaller balloons.
instead of one large one, for greater safety and in order to have more certainty
as to the weight to be transported, each balloon being accurately measured and
estimated as to its power, others being added as reserve, in case of the explosion
or injury of one.
I offer, also, the improvement of placing a half-balloon, with level and circular

page_text: surface, beneath the vehicle, to aid in its suspension and to make immersion
impossible.
For the self-directing balloons, the form of the balloons should resemble the
bird-type; the conductor's car made with air-compartments, and with inflatable
sides, the elongated body being like that of a large bird, whilst the tail will be
the helm, easily turned by a cord or wheel, which, passing from the conductor's
office, will move here and there, or up and down, like a bird's tail.
For producing the movement, aside from that made by air--or gas-inflation,
a series of windmill-like, revolving sails may be put in motion, by means of a
light furnace, of gas, or electricity, or other, or by heating and suddenly cooling
the air, so as to make a series of joined fans revolve, which, in their turn, will
move other fans outside, so placed, also, if desired, as to represent the flapping
of wings, being adorned with feathers, and made of light structure, covered with
the most delicate but strong tissue. The hot air and cold air blowing against the
fans, will pass through separate tubes, moving the pistons within these.
The same furnace can move, if necessary, an apparatus of sails, in windmill-
form and facile to adjust according to the moment's needs.
When several conductors are necessary, there will be other balloons, of similar
form added. Birds also may be taught, as carrier-doves, falcons, eagles, and flocks
even of small birds, to aid in the flight of their rivals!
To create the balloon-motion, the system of the subscriber, already explained
in a preceding Patent, (No. 13,715, A.D. 1896), may be used; that is, with cooled
air, producing contraction, (alternating also with heated air), and resulting in a
regular movement of the piston, or of the motive-wheel. This motion, effected,
also, by means of tubes, alternatively hot and cold, or on one side hot, and on the
other cold, will produce vacuums in the tube of a piston, or will move wings
joined to wheels. On the same principle, also, various gases may be used,
entring, afterwards, in water-receptacles, from which, their extraction, for
repeated use, will be easy.
These systems may be applied directly to the balloons, from the cars of the
conductors, or, by means of tubes, joined to the laboratories of the stations, when
it is question of balloon-lines, as also of the aerial, suspended vehicles, with, or
without balloons, (already described in the preceding patent of the subscriber,
No. 13,715. A.D. 1896) and also well-adapted to conjoin the centers of exploration
of the cold and hot regions of the earth. (Presented in the year 1891 to the
Ministry of Public Works at Rome (Italy) and patented).
These centers will be furnished, also, with balloons adapted to the elevations
of stones and impediments met with by land or by sea, (or other bodies of water):
as also for raising submerged objects. Thus groups of large and powerful
balloons, furnished with windmill-wings to increase their straining power, may
be attached to different divisions of the vessel or impediment to be raised, around
which divers and workmen will have previously attached chains, to which the
balloons will be fastened by means of great hasps and hawsers.
The explorers of these cold and hot regions will be furnished themselves with
aid-balloons, that is, with balloons easily inflated from small portable reservoirs
of any light. gas, and having arm-braces by which they can easily be worn as
satchels are carried. The half-balloons, already described, (first in No. 15,850,
A.D. 1890), may be placed under any vehicles, in order to render casier the labor
of the draught-animals.
Instead of balloons, individuals may attempt the winged garment, composed
of two wing-shaped balloons, to raise above the head by means of false arms,
and two others, combined with a garment of light tissue, inflatable,-through
the long sleeves of which, pass tubes of guttapercha connected with a light,
portable gas-reservoir, hidden beneath the garment, or so combined, that by
pressure of the hands, air can be made to enter or to issue, with the use of gas-
bellows, or of suction air-pumps, inflating or emptying the air-chambers, fur-

page_text: nished with suitable valves, for a complete combination between the garment
and the four balloon-wings, above described. Folded, these wings, with the
mantle, will resemble a graceful, impermeable garment, fastened on, with light,
but strong springs. A more simple form will be that of aid-balloons; (above
described), made in the form of wings and connected by short guttapercha tubes
with a portable gas-deposit, worn under the garment. Or a little chariot may be
adorned with these balloon-wings, the gas-deposit forming the seat for the soarer, a
half-balloon being beneath the chariot, regulated from within by means of tubes
and valves, as also the rudder balloon.
Similar wings may be attached to small boats, made of light substances, in the
form of yachts, having helm and rudder, winged paddles, as well as winged
balloons above, and furnished with a central machine, working as above described,
or by electricity, steam, appropriate gas, or on the alternate expansion and
contraction system.
The explorers will be also furnished with indiarubber-ball girdles and leg-
incasors, resembling chairs, and so filled with compressed air in air-chambers,
hung with rubber-balls, that they cannot sink in water. These chairs, on the
same principle with ship-lanterns, or liquid-carrying vehicles, may be so placed
by screws, within iron triangular supports, the latter attached to a folding plat-
form, which opened, forms a boat, that no motion will be felt when on the water.
Boots, soled with cork several inches in height and having iron projections below,
wide enough to maintain the equilibrium," will enable the wearer to pass mud
and morasses.
FIRST SHEET.
Figure I, represents regular lines for suspended vehicles, or balloons, with
stations for passengers, or merchandise, or baggage, to be established upon each
center, in the line of advance, by land or sea; thus furnishing sure means of
communication with the stations left behind, so that brave explorers need not
perish.
A is the stationary engine-house; B the type of a supporting tower for the
cables, serving also as way station; C is another supporting tower, intermediary,
or for turning curves; EE are the suspended vehicles; G H are typical
cables, supporting them; F F symbolize the traction cables; I represents the
land or water to be traversed, and I indicates the industrial stations described
in the preceding pages.
SECOND SHEET.
Figure II, represents regular lines for suspended vehicles, or balloons, G G,
when the motive power is electricity instead of steam, EE and 1 D are the
vehicles, with F F compartments for baggage, made lighter by half-balloons
below, PP, filled with gas, or heated, or compressed air. H H are the supporting
cables; I the water or land to be traversed, and A the industrial station furnish-
ing also the electricity, or other motive power, applied to the vehicles on the
same principle as that used in the most improved electric tramways.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim as novelty in this Complete Specification, is:--
1. The establishment of centers of volcanic, aqueous and meteorological forces,
so as to ensure safety to explorers of the cold and hot regions of the earth.
2. The application, for this purpose, of aerial, suspended vehicles, moving on
metallic cords, drawn forwards and backwards, and up and down, by means of
stationary engines, or moved directly by electricity, air, (compressed, heated or
cooled), or by different gases, acting upon the pistons in the tubes and these
pistons connected with impelling machinery; the cords being supported on
towers of iron and masonry and firmly attached at the stations."

page_text: 3. The use, for the same intent, of balloon, lines, as heretofore described, in
various manner, as well as of free, self directing balloons.
4. Aid-balloons for individuals and animals, half-balloons for lightening
vehicles.
5. Balloon-mantles with wings, or aid-balloons with wings.
6. Chariots and boats with wing-balloons and winged paddles.
7. India-rubber ball girdles and leg-incasors, chair-boats, balanced so as not
to allow the motion to be felt when on the water; and cork-boots with iron sup-
ports for traversing mud and morasses.
On the 21st day of December 189 seven, at Bordighera (Liguria), Italy,
care of the Banca di Bordighera.