This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.
rudder was hinged to the rear of the frame. Near the center a bicycle frame was attached, without fork of wheels, but with a seat, handle bars ((handlebars)), main sprocket and pedals. The tibilar ((tubular)) propeller shaft running forward was driven by a chain from the main sprocket. Dixon rode the seat and pedaled. Knabenshue conducted the inflation of the airship with hydrogen. Mrs. Dixon insisted that ropes be attached at either end of the bag which would limit altitude to 200 feet and that assistants holding these lines would walk or run with him to avoid an accident. Dixon pedaled furiously but the air-ship did not rise. At the first opportunity, and unknown to his mother, Cromwell removed the restraining lines and rose from the Columbus Driving Park on a free flight and actually pedaled himself over the city at 2,000 feet. He was 15 years old. Naturally, he and ((made)) headlines. Other local flights followed and these soon gained him. international publicity. The astounding story of a most remarkable boy and his no less remarkable mother brought warm letters of congratulations and encouragement from aeronauts and aviation celebrities everywhere. Requests for him to appear at fairs and resorts came in thick and fast. He invented and built a quickly collapsible tent to house the airships. His mother at all times acted as his business manager. This first "Skycycle" apparently was not quite large enough to give the performance he desired so an 8-foot wide band was inserted, lengthening it to 40 feet. A larger propeller and rudder were substituted. With this ship Dixon made several exhibition appearances in 1907, the most noteworthy being at the St. Louis International Balloon Races in October where he won several prizes. There ((,)) on October 22nd, Dixon left the Balloon Park, pedaled over the city, crossed the Mississippi River and landed at Venice, Illinois, a distance of several miles. Mrs. Dixon advertised in the aviation magazines: "Exhibition dates being accepted for Cromwell Dixon, Jr., the world's youngest inventor and aeronaut." These activities continued ((,))