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problem was really solved by Langley in 1896, when he constructed a machine which actually did fly, for Bell saw it. Langley's later and more elaborate machine was unduly discredited because it never was actually launched, and so it never had a fair chance.

The discouraging factor of aerodromics is the well-known mathematical formula that the sustaining surface of a machine increases only as the square of its dimension, whereas its weight increases as the cube. If, then, you build your large machine in the same form as a small and successful model, it soon becomes too heavy to rise at all. To meet, this difficult, Dr. Bell decided to fasten together many small supporting surfaces. By this means he could increase the supporting surface at just the same rate as the weight. The best units are tetrahedra, with two faces covered and one face and the base open. These are made about double the size of samples which he passed around; probably about eight inches long on each edge. His first thought was to connect a set of these by their corners and to alternate this construction with open spaces; but he found that it was practicable to build up large masses of these units compactly, giving a great supporting power, combined with strength and lightness. The edges are of aluminum. The structure constitutes a sort of kite, using the word as a suitably descriptive one, but of course not at all in the nature of the old-fashioned simple flying toy.

In order to avoid needless risk of life, he uses his structures on water or at slight elevations, and kept captive. He finds it practicable to go at as low a rate as ten miles an hour, instead of the kilometer a minute, nearly thirty-seven miles an hour, at which the Wright brothers operated their machine in Dayton, Ohio. Apparently this high rate of speed was necessary to keep the machine in the air. He found also very recently that he could move his machine against a rather brisk breeze for the reason that it is heavier than the air, and momentum is the combined product of weight and velocity.

Scientific American New York 8 Dec 1906

AIRSHIPS IN THE FRENCH ARMY.

The French Army seems to have taken the lead in the way of practical use of airships for military work, and will soon have two airships in actual service. It will be remembered that the first on of these, the "Lebaudy 1905," which made such a fine run from Moisson to Chalons, and a set of maneuvers at Toul, was turned over to the government by Messrs. Lebaudy, and the Minister of War had it stationed first at the Toul fortress and afterward at the Meudon establishment near Paris. It is proposed to use it especially in order to train the aerostatic personnel, and it will remain there for the instruction of the officers and men who are to form the first crews of the airships. Commandant Bouttieaux and Capts. Voyer and Bois, who followed last year's tests, are charged with the instruction of the men. The personnel will thus be well trained by the time the second airship "Lebaudy 1906" is delivered to the army. The New airship presents a great interest. M. Etienne, the Minister of War, having seen the value of the formed airship during last year's maneuvers, decided to have a new balloon of the same kind built by Messrs. Lebaudy, and the new "Lebaudy 1906" is the development of the principles already applied with success by Engineer Julliot. Modifications over the type we have already described are made in some of the details. The envelope, still of rubber-treated canvas, measures nearly 200 feet long with a large diameter of 35 feet as before, and a volume of 4,000 cubic years. A Panhard-Levassor 70-horse-power petrol motor is used no, and it vies much better results than the 20-horse-power form used on the first airship. All the mechanical parts are calculated accordingly, and a higher speed is looked for. Some changes have been made in the planes and the steering apparatus. As it is somewhat longer and thus has a greater volume, and the arrangements for ballast are improved, with a higher power, it should give even a better performance than the first, with a greater range of action. Most of the maneuvers are worked by automobile steering wheels placed near the pilot. The floor of the nacelle is of steel plate. While building at Moisson the construction has been kept secret for the most part. The most recent reports state that the new airship is now entirely finished, and it is filled up with gas by a corps of military aeronauts commanded by an officer. Then the first trials will be made on all the different parts so as to show what modifications may be needed. After these are made the final tests will take place, probably near the first of December. Then the Minister of War will take possession of the airship, as has been agreed upon, when it will have been put in perfect shape by Messrs. Lebaudy. It is to be known as the "Patrie," while the other will keep the name of "Lebaudy," and will be allotted to the fortified post of Verdun. Here will be established a well-fitted airship park which will be much more complete than the temporary one first set up at the Toul fortress. A third airship will no doubt be built, and will be called the "Republique."

sults:
First race-7 furlongs. Gold Circle, 101 (Garner), 3 to 5, won: Glendover, 115 (D. Austin), 12 to 1, second; Spider Web, 99 (Martin), 5 to 1, third. Time, 1:29 4-5. Pierrot, Veneto, Royal Bond, Roswell, Duchess of Montelsello, Nancy Hart, Katie C. S. and Miss Parker also ran.
Second race-6 furlongs; selling. Woodsaw 110 (Smith), 3 to 2, won; Operator, 108 (Foley), 30 to 1, second; Happy Jack, 104 (Martin), 12 to 1, third. Time, 1:15 4-5. Pity, Dan McKenna, Adbell, Sneer, Jerry C., Violin, Clique, Ingolthrift and Evening Star also ran.
Third race-6 furlongs; selling. Airship, 112 (Nicol), even, won; Columbia Girl, 109 (Van Dusen), 10 to 1, second; Auditor, 113 (McDaniel), 7 to 2, third. Time, 1:16. Matador, Wild Irishman and Cutter also ran.
Fourth race-7 furlongs. Bill Phillips, 95 (Martin), 17 to 1, won: Mortiboy, 88 (Englander), 7 to 1, second: Monet, 115 (Garner), 11 to 5, third. Time, 1:29 4-5. Pride of Woodstock, COncert and Rebo also ran.
Fifth race-6 furlongs; selling. Knight of Ivanhoe, 119 (Hennessy), 7 to 2, won; Sir Vagrant, 108 (Austin), 20 to 1, second; Gold Duke, 105 (Smith), 30 to 1, third. Time, 1:15 3-5. Fire Alarm, Jacamo, Frank Flesher, John Kauffman, Associate, Dick Shanley, Gorden Rusk, Charley Heeney and Elected also ran.
Sisth race-1 1-16 miles; selling. Old Stone, 112 (Aubuchon), 6 to 5, won; La Cache, 102 (Pickens), 12 to 1, second; Sanetion, 105 (Lloyd), 20 to 1, third. Time, 1:49 4-5. Prince Salm Salm, Foreigner, Dromio, Water Pansy, Glencare, Marvin Neal, Volney and Huntington also ran.
Sue-News- 8 Dec 1906
[[?]]
AIRSHIPS ONLY
WAY-WELLMAN
By Wire to The News.
NEW YORK. Dec, 8,--Walter Wellman, who yesterday sailed for France on the Lorraine, of the French line, to superintend the reconstruction of his airship, the America, paid his respects to Robert E. Peary, who, he had understood, had criticised the attempt to be made by Mr. Wellman and his associate to reach the pole by balloon.
"I see that Mr. Peary says he has no faith in airships for Arctic research and exploration." said Mr. Wellman. "Well, that makes no difference to me, and, personally, I have no faith in sledging parties, the method so far used in the search for the pole. It is not unnatural to have small faith in another man's schemes, but in this case I know something about sledging, and Mr. Peary, so far as I am advised, is an authority on sledging only and knows nothing about airships. I have formed my opinion of sledging by practical experience.
"I shall return here next spring and sail for the base of my expedition in Spitzbergen in April, there to complete all arrangements. The start for the pole will be made at the latter end of August."
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9 Dec/906
ALMERIGO's NEW AIRSHIP.
ROME, Dec. 9.- Count Almerigo of Schio, who has been experimenting with airships since 1884, believes he has found the solution of aerial navigation.
his new airship contains a [[?]]