FUELLESS AIRPLANE

Taranaki Daily News, 21 April 1928, Page 17

FUELLESS AIRPLANE

LINDBERGH IMPRESSED. CHARGED FROM THE EARTH. New York, April 7. Lester J. Hendershot, of Pittsburgh, has invented a new motor, on the elec-tro-magnetic principle, reputed to be so designed as to be charged by the earth’s revolutions. Among many aviation experts, the new device has been seen by Lindbergh, who is reported to be impressed by it. Hendershot claimed that the machine, with materials he used, tapped a heretofore unused wave of current from the earth, recharging itself, the expert said. The working of the radio tube was the best parallel of how device operated, lie said. The magneto picked up earth currents as it ran, much as the radio tube picks up sound waves. Hendershot is a “free lance” engineer of Pittsburgh. His device came under the notice of the manager of an airport, who saw its immense possibilities, and gradually national experts became Interested in the motor which performed ISOO revolutions a minute without any connection by outside wires. “Like a radio tube picking sound waves from the air,” commented one. When Lindbergh heard of it, he flew at once to Selfridge Field where it was demonstrated. The “Lone Eagle” caw at once that it might revolutionise flying, and is investigating with a view to its "promotion” by the Guggenheim Foundation aeronautics, with which he ie connected. Patents have been applied for at Washington. ' ’