The Mastery of the Air

Progress, Volume VI, Issue 4, 1 February 1911, Page 537

The Mastery of the Air

A Record of the Achievements of Science in the Realm of Aerial Navigation

we reach the top of the block, we find the density of the material greatest at the earth’s centre, diminishing as we go upward (that is, if the density of the material decreases proportionately all the way, as it seems to do). Take the foundation blocks of a building. Are they pressed upon, and more dense by reason of the superincumbent weight, weight meaning the pull of gravitation (of course, if there were no gravitation, there would be no weight). Now we cannot draw a horizontal line, or fix on a point, anywhere between the centre of the earth and the top of a building, and say, here, at this line only, or at this point only, there is a downward pressure and an upward pressure; the fact seems to be that these upward and downward pressures are everywhere, vertically . throughout the mass. The mass or masses being considered as strata of different materials, but the meeting surface of the different strata do not locate the contrary forces we have been considering. Relying on the “Atomic theory” (which, anyhow, is a convenient one for our purpose), . does it not appear that the opposite forces exist throughout every mass of material in all directions, and by this principle are able to exist as masses. The atoms must hold together, and also be kept asunder, in different densities in order to form masses. The whole matter, then, resolves itself into a question of varying densities, dependent on position. A castiron column, for instance, lying horizontally, will have the density of its ends equal, but if raised on end, the lower end will become denser than the upper. Another curious fact seems to appear, and that is, that the force or forces in connection with atoms, only really act, when they are in motion, for after the respective densities have adjusted themselves, and the contrary forces balance each other, they mutually destroy each other and have no real existence. Will the pursuit of this, study give a clue to the mystery of what is heat and electricity? ' It seems to open the door in that direction. May not electric energy be simply the disturbing of balanced forces, and so causing motion, i.c., a state of unbalance. In a word, is not electricity simply motion born of disturbance and working again towards a balance? ' .."’■ When a ball is projected vertically in the air by considerable force, it reaches •a point where it ceases to rise, and is for •an instant in a neutral -position, i.c., having no weight, neither going up or down. Now if, at this critical moment, another force is applied to cause the ball to move rapidly in a horizontal direction (tending upwards) the ball will have little time to

descend, and will nearly maintain its height and weightlessness as -long as the horizontal force acting upon _it is sufficient and continuous. Gravity, : like every other force, requires time to act, but the rapid horizontal motion of . the body in this case does not give it full opportunity. Of course there can be no real force apart from motion. This shows that the art of flying through the air is a much simpler matter than, is ordinarily supposed. Alighting with PlanelGss Flying Machines. Since there are no planes to depend on for supporting the machine, a constant horizontal motion is necessary, the propellers being kept constantly, going.; Twin motors, capable of being coupled, or working independently, are needed for safety. When it is desired to alight on a particular spot, the machine would be. steered in a wide, sweeping circle around it, and the speed of the propellers lowered so that gravity may gradually draw the machine to earth in a helical or spiral course of considerable length.