A HUMAN ROCKET.

Evening Star, Issue 15174, 3 May 1913, Page 3

A HUMAN ROCKET.

To oblige a moving picture firm and for a valuable consideration, Rodman Law, an American, appeared at New York in the role of a human rocket. The performance, however, was not altogether a success. Within a steel cylinder, 10ft high and 3ft in diameter, he hoped to be shot high into the air on the principle of a. sky-rocket, such as is used at firework displays, descending by means of a parachute. The entire apparatus, with Law inside, weighed about 5 tons, about 8001b of ordinary gunpowder being used as the charge. The performance was a climax to a blood-and-thunder moving picture series. Law did not ascend, very tar, and came down like a burnt stick. The explosion was apparently premature and only partial, and the cylinder burst. Law’s arms were injured and his hair burnt, bat he was able to ride home. Eaw will use a stronger cylinder next time, and predicts certain success. Those who know the “Human Skyrocket” do not doubt his courage. Here are a few extracts from his record: Jumped from Brooklyn Bridge without a parachute. Exploded a balloon-filled with highly inflammable gas while 500 ft above the Hudson River, and. came down safely in a parachute. Made a world’s record for parachulcj limping at Staten Island by dropping 6,500 ft from an aeroplane; h© landed five miles from the spot where he marie his ascent. Jumped from an aeroplane while at an altitude of 3,500 ft. and, landed' safely; it took him 32min to go up, and 2mm to come down. Climbed the front of the Hotel Ansonia to the 30th story. Raced at 50 miles an hour on a motor cycle with., a girl behind, off an open drawbridge into the river. 1 Jumped from the 41st story. Bankers’ Trust Building, in. New York. Eor the last feat permission had been refused, but Mr Gaynor, Mayor of New York, wrote to Law, in reply to his request; “I an in favor of your jumping from some high building if yon want tori’