THE FUTURE OF THE BALLOON.

Inangahua Times, Volume II, 14 May 1880, Page 2

THE FUTURE OF THE BALLOON.

♦ Professor Dn? has been interviewed by a reporter on the New York Express, the following is his view of the possibilities of the balloons 1 The balloon is condemned by many and justly so, because there are those who claim for it impossibilities. It can only be used and valued for what it is worth to science. It will never be used as. 4 carrier in the strict sense, because I that is impracticable ; but for scientific research it is the, only means we have of studying the higher regions and learning about the upper currents— about the formation of rain and snow and the action of storms. It is the on'y thing by which we can reach the poi.tt in the heavens clear of the earth • and for these purposes it is invaluable. The day will never come when balloons will be made to navigate the air against the currents. That can only be done by flying machines having momentum, which a balloon is without. You cannot throw a tuft of cotton against the wind, for the reason that it lias no resistance. The balloon's mission is scientific in several ways. Yon know in case of war, it has been very useful in escaping from besieged cities, like Paris, for instance, and for military operations it is the only way you have of looking into the enemy's fortifications with impunity. It is also valuable for looking down into deep water. I had an offer made me once to float over Lake Erie and search for a steamer that bad sunk in a storm. From the balloon you can look down to the bott6m of very deep water, because you are away far enough to overcome the reflection of the sky. From my balloon here I can see the channels the boats take to Roekaway very clearly. ' I have not the least doubt that the air will be navigated by a flying machine, but it will have to fly better than a bird flies, the same as a ship swims better than a fish ; that is, the ship will carry a thousand passengers and a heavy cargo and go through the water very quickly, while the fish has all it can do. to take care of itself- The flying«machine will have wide, strong wings, and will be propelled by some great force— it may be nitro-glycerine, it may bs gunpowder, and it may be hydrogen and oxygen gas, or it may be something else that will give it momentum ; but whatever it is, it will

be light and eompieU so that a hnadful of it, so to speak will last a whole day. A base-ball travels when hit with a bat, and if there should be a fly on its surface, it would carry its passenger. You know how nicely a piece of card-board can be shied through the air. The fly in j ma» chine will operate on something like the same principle, but balloons will never be used for the purpose, being as I said before, without momentum."