Lecture on Artificial Flight: Given by request at the Academy of Natural Sciences — John Shaqi
Lecture on Artificial Flight: Given by request at the Academy of Natural SciencesKrueger, William G.
History
Lecture on Artificial Flight: Given by request at the Academy of Natural Sciences
Krueger, William G.
Aeronautics
Such about will be the coming flying-machine of the near future. The
natural elements, so far from presenting barriers and obstacles, as they
do to a great extent on land and ocean navigation, seem to be peculiarly
inviting to ærostation.
Previous to nearly every great discovery, difficulties have been thought
to exist which its completion dissolved. In the days of stage-coaching,
the expectations held out by those interested in steam transport were
considered, even by most competent and intelligent men, as wholly
chimerical; yet the locomotive far surpasses the race-horse in speed and
endurance. When practice proved and datas could be fixed, that smooth
tires met all the requirements on railroads--in place of cogwheels to
gear into racks--how easy all calculations on adhesive force and
friction then became. So with flight.
XX.--WHAT THE CHANGES FOR THE BETTER WILL BE.
It is impossible to overestimate the benefits which will accrue to
mankind from such a creation. Flying will become a studied art, an
amusement, an accomplishment, and inconvenience from sultry heat, or
freezing cold, or deadly epidemics will no longer be suffered. Flying
will become a business, a trade, and the advantages derived from it for
industrial purposes will be wonderfully great. New channels of
employment will be opened to thousands, yes, millions of starving
fellow-beings. A new era will be inaugurated in history; and great as
has been the destiny of our race, it will be quite outlustred by the
grandeur and magnitude of coming events.
Traveling at a speed of over one hundred miles an hour, distance will
become comparatively annihilated. Cutting through the air from San
Francisco to New York, for instance, in twenty-four hours, at one-sixth
in cost and time; far safer, because of no irregulations nor
obstructions of road, no snow-blockades or unnecessary delays; far
cheaper, because of no great expense for outfit or maintenance, the
ærial carriage will soon become the great means of travel throughout the
world.
The vast uninhabited but productive regions of this globe will be
populated from overcrowded and impoverished communities, because of the
extraordinary cheap, safe, and rapid travel by flying machines. New life
will again be imparted to enterprise, speculation and labor; and lands
will be cultivated and great cities be built in regions where the foot
of human being has not trod for ages.
The Andes and Rocky Mountains will become as familiar to us as the hills
of our own city; and mining and other discoveries will follow each other
with wonderful rapidity. The vexing and expensive explorations in the
interiors of Africa and Australia, and towards the North Pole, will soon
be brought to a speedy and satisfactory conclusion; and some of the
wildest dreams of men be realized.
XXI.--CONCLUDING REMARKS.
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