A very original type of monoplane was developed by Robert Esnault-Pélterie, who began experimenting in 1903. As shown in Plate XXIX, its body frame was covered to reduce air-resistance, and was provided with ample keel surface to promote directness and steadiness of flight. The weight was borne on two wheels in tandem, aided by wheels at the wing tips to preserve the lateral balance when the machine was resting. When under way the lateral poise was controlled by wing warping; the motion about the other two axes being controlled by a horizontal and a vertical rudder, the latter being “compensated,” that is, having its axis near the center of side pressure, when in action. An air-cooled motor of 30 to 35 horse power with a direct mounted four-blade screw formed the propulsion plant. Though the “R. E. P.” aëroplane, as it was commonly called, did not achieve great distinction at first, due, perhaps, to the inventor’s being over original, and making all its parts himself, instead of buying some high-class engine and propeller, as other successful aëroplanists had done, still his machine was greatly admired by technicians for its excellent finish and the fastidious, thorough and patient manner in which its young inventor labored to make it perfect, both in design and construction. It was regarded as a future record breaker, which, indeed, it was destined to become on further improvement. Although little was accomplished in building aëroplanes in other countries than America and France, up to the beginning of 1909, that year witnessed some good flights in homemade machines in Germany, England and Canada. In November, 1909, Herr Grade, in Germany, made a flight of 55 minutes in his monoplane. Mr. S. F. Cody, who constructed a biplane for the British army, flew over forty miles across country on September 8th, high above trees and buildings, remaining on the wing for 63 minutes. The machine spanned 52 feet, weighed with the pilot, nearly a ton, and was controlled by front and rear vertical rudders and two lateral rudders, well in front, so geared that if worked oppositely the machine listed, while if worked identically it rose or fell. In Canada Dr. Alexander Graham Bell and his associates continued the experiments, already described, begun in 1908 by the Aërial Experiment Association. In 1909 their fourth machine, the _Silver Dart_, flew many times round a course on the frozen lake, Bras d’Or, traversing, all told, about 1,000 miles in 100 flights. PLATE XXX. [Illustration: GRADE MONOPLANE. (Courtesy E. L. Jones.)] [Illustration: CODY BIPLANE.]