Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 8, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 November 1876 — A New Flying Machine. [ARTICLE]

A New Flying Machine.

The desire of Mr. W. J. Lewis, of No. 27 West Tbirtv-fifth street, to have his newly-invented “ flying machine” thoroughly investigated by scientific men, as stated in the World of yesterday, has been in a measure gratified, and not without profit to the inventor. Yesterday afternoon several scientific men assembled in bis apartment, and were convinced that man is not so immeasurably behind the cat-bird as has been all along supposed. A scientific prestige having now been i given to the machine, readers of the World will doubtless take an interest in its construc-

tiqn. For lack of funds the construction it at present very crude. Mr. Lewis in fact has as yet created but the germ of the wingfid locomotive, upon which, if pecuniarly assisted, he expects at no very distant date to go to Philadelphia 'in the space of ten minutes clock time. The flying engine yesterday exhibited may be described as follows: A huge watchspring weighing several pounds is connected with an upright shaft, upon which are arranged- -one at the top and one half way up —two propeller wheels, the flanges of which are made of stifl paper, and are made of a peculiar shape, in which shape, by the way, is said to be the secret of the aerial locomotion. Upon the springs being wound up the propellers are set in rapid motion, and instantly the apparatus leaves terra firms and soars in the twinkling of an eye to the ceiling. To raise 100 pounds Mr. Lewis estimates that it will be necessary for his “ aerial planes*’ (In other words, the flanges of the propeller wheels) to cover twenty square feet of air, which, as the propellers can be arranged one below another on the same mast, he claims is entirely practicable. Claiming that the same law by which he raises four pounds, by steel watchsprings will navigate an aerial steamer as big as any of the White Star ships, he talks enthusiastically about the ship he hopes soon to construct. The keel will be m the shape of a very obtuse angle, the longer side of which will have several masts, each mast Containing a number of propellers whose work will be simply to lift. At the extremity of the shorter side will be a large propeller at right angles to the keel, whose work will be to push. All these propellers will be attached to a universal joint and worked by a powerful steam engine, which will be ir a car suspended from the long portion of the keel. The engine started, at once a double motion will be given to the boat, and it will be lifted ana pushed forward simultaneously. The desired altitude being reached (which will be regulated by the distance to be traveled), all the masts will be by a lever cantea forward to an angle, which will enable their several propeller wheels to push or pull like the one at the stern. The rudder of the craft will be at the bow, and Mr. Lewis claims she will be as easily managed as any ocean steamer. In making a journey of 100 miles it will be necessary to rise to a height of about one mile, and then by partially shutting off steam the ship will descend upon an inclined plane at any speed desired. Mr. Lewis is of the □pinion that by wearing a certain covering for the back portion of the head a man need experience no inconvenience from traveling at the rate of 200 or 300 miles an hour. To exhibit the possibility of giving his boat any desired direction, Mr. Lewis yesterday directed his machine at various angles, and in all instances it flew straight in the direction pointed. Before the introduction of steam as a power in aerial navigation he proposes to construct a boat with pedals, and by the use of his own strength will attempt a journey to Philadfelphia, being quite ready to take any moderate wager that he will reach that city within half an hour from the time of starting. — N. Y. World.