A BIG IDEA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue II, 11 July 1896, Page 34

A BIG IDEA.

Mr Eliskk Reclus the French geographer, is out with a suggestion that will at once arrest attention. His plan is to construct a globe, a facsimile of the earth, on a scale that shall be exactly one hundred-thousandth part of the actual size. Stated boldly in this way the project may not seem sensational. Figures do not lie, but they do not carry an immediate conviction of their truth to the non-mathematical mind which is unaccustomed to dealing with them. You may think that a globe only one hundred-thousandth part of the earth in size would be no stupendous affair. Let us therefore leave fractions of this sort (which are confessedly vulgar things) and deal with the assured aristocracy of round numbers. The magnitude of the work will be appreciated when it is stated that the structure will be 418 feet is diameter. This enormous size is considered to be necessary in order to allow of the surface being modelled with minute accuracy and in true proportions, so as to show mountains and valleys, plateaus and lowlands in their actual relation to the earth’s magnitude. Even on this large scale the Himalayas would be only about three and a half inches high, Mont Blanc about two inches. The Grampians half an inch, while the Palisades of the Hudson, at their highest points, wou’d be about one-sixteenth of an inch above the level of the river.

It is proposed that the globe shall always be kept up to the latest knowledge of the day by adding fresh details from the results of new explorations in every part of the world ; so that, by means of photography, maps of any country or district could be formed on any scale desired, and for a small fee the globe might be available to all map-makers for that purpose. Such maps would be more accurate than those drawn by any method of projection, while the facility of their construction would render them very cheap and would thus be a great boon to the public, especially whenever attention was directed to any particular area. The proposed globe is to be so mounted as best to preserve its general effect. It must not rest upon the ground—that goes without saying. It must be supported on some kind of a pedestal. And it must be so situated as to be visible from a considerable distance in every direction without any intervening obstructions of houses or trees. But a single pedestal will not suffice. The enormous surface offered to winds and storms will require a substantial basis to stand upon. It is, therefore, proposed to have four supports placed about 140 feet apart and built of masonry to the required height of 60 feet.

To preserve such delicate work as the modelling and tinting of the globe it will be necessary to protectit with an outer covering. This also should be globular, with a smooth outer surface. But in order to form an effective

picture at a considerable distance this outer surface should be boldly and permanently coloured to represent all the great geographical features of the earth. Stairs and platforms will be necessary inside the outer globe to provide for access to every part of the surface of the interior one. Room must also be allowed to afford means of obtaining a view of a considerable extent of it; hence there should be a space of fifty feet between the interior globe and the outer covering, which would give the latter an inside diameter of about 520 feet. As the pedestal will be 60 feet high the total altitude of the structure will not fall short of 600 feet. A further word about the accommodations for spectators. In order to give them facilities of access to every part of the surface of the globe it is proposed to construct in the space between the globe and its covering, but much nearer to the former, a broad platform, ascending spirally from the south to the north pole in twenty-four spires, with a maximum rise of one in twenty. The balustrade on the inner side of this ascending platform is to be three feet and three inches from the surface of the globe. The greater part of this huge spiral platform is to be lifted np in order to allow of an uninterrupted view of any desired portion of the earth’s surface. The total length of the walk along it will be five miles. But it will not be necessary to walk. The breadth of the platform will afford ample room for any auto-motor carriages that may be deemed advisable. And, finally, it will not even be necessary to ride or to perform any other act of locomotion. Mohammed, if he so elect, may go to the mountain either afoot or astride a vehicle. But, if he prefers, the mountain will come to him. The whole enormous mass is to be rendered capable of rotating on its polar axis, in exact imitation of the rotation of the earth.

Thus, every part of the surface would be accessible by simply choosing the proper height on the platform and waiting until the rotation brought the place wanted opposite to the observer.