[4] NOTE BY AUGUSTUS POST An interesting story is told of how the hydroaeroplane came to be invented. During the period when he was planning a new series of experiments, Mr. Curtiss, accompanied by Mrs. Curtiss, attended a New York theatre in which there was being presented a play much talked about just then. The curtain went up on the first act, and the noted aviator was apparently enjoying the show when, just as the scene was developing one of its most interesting climaxes, he turned to Mrs. Curtiss and said: "I've got it." On the theatre program he had sketched what ultimately became the design of the hydroaeroplane. This is like a time when Mr. Curtiss was standing one day by the side of one of his motorcycles talking with a customer. He kept turning one of the grips of the handle-bar with his fingers while talking and after finishing the conversation went into his office and developed the idea of a handle-control which had come to him while apparently absorbed in conversation.–A. P. [5] The fame of the hydroaeroplane has reached the Orient and a demonstration was recently given at Tokyo, Japan, for the benefit of the Japanese Army and Navy officials by Mr. W. B. Atwater, of New York. Mr. and Mrs. Atwater are on a tour of the world, carrying with them two Curtiss hydroaeroplanes and giving demonstrations of a practical character before the military authorities of all the countries en route. On Saturday, May 11th, 1912, he made three flights at Tokyo, the first hydro flights ever seen in the Orient. There was a great gathering of military men to witness the flights, among them Prince Kwacho, representing the Japanese Imperial Family; Admiral Saito, Minister of the Imperial Navy, and Vice-Admiral Uryu. According to the statement of the Japan Advertiser the Japanese Navy has followed the example of Russia, and forwarded to America an order for four Curtiss hydroaeroplanes.–A. P. [6] The first start from a roof-top was made on June 12, 1912, when Silas Christoferson in a Curtiss biplane rose from a platform built on the roof of the Hotel Multnomah, Portland, Ore., and flew safely away.–AUGUSTUS POST.