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Story
July 12, 1878
The Hickman Courier
Hickman, Fulton County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
In Hartford, Conn., Prof. Richtel's new flying machine successfully demonstrates aerial navigation, rising to 100 feet, moving with the wind, turning, and returning against it without ballast or gas waste, delighting spectators.
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THE AIR SHIP.
Successful Experiment with Prof. Richtel's New Machine.
Hartford, Conn, special to the N. Y. Herald.
Three postponements, necessitated by heavy rains, had induced the Hartford people to believe that fate was making a dead set against Prof. Richtel's determination to show that his new flying machine was really capable of aerial navigation. To-day was far from favorable for an outdoor exhibition, yet it was given, and with gratifying success. The large assemblage that came to witness what they fully believed would be only another unsuccessful attempt to solve the problem of navigating the air were pleasantly disappointed. The machine not only rose in the air, but moved backward and forward, up and down, at the option of the aeronaut, and although embracing in part the balloon principle, the evolutions were accomplished without waste of gas in descending or any use of ballast whatever. The aeronaut worked the central propeller of the machine with effect and rose over every obstacle to the height of 100 feet. The breeze was blowing to the eastward and the exhibitor allowed his machine to be carried with it for an eighth of a mile, and amused himself by showing his ability to ascend or descend at will. Then the propeller at the pointed end of the frame work was set in motion, and the machine shifted its course, twisting and turning in small circles. Still its general drift was to the eastward, with the wind, and the spectators freely expressed the opinion that its powers were at an end and that it could never return against the wind; but at a signal from Professor Richtel the machine was pointed back toward the exhibition grounds. The propelling wheel was started at top speed, and with accelerated motion the air ship sailed along back, at an altitude of 100 feet, until it hovered over the exhibition grounds; then amid general applause, the central propeller was set in motion, and under its influence the ship sank slowly and easily to the earth, landing within half a dozen rods from the original starting point.
Successful Experiment with Prof. Richtel's New Machine.
Hartford, Conn, special to the N. Y. Herald.
Three postponements, necessitated by heavy rains, had induced the Hartford people to believe that fate was making a dead set against Prof. Richtel's determination to show that his new flying machine was really capable of aerial navigation. To-day was far from favorable for an outdoor exhibition, yet it was given, and with gratifying success. The large assemblage that came to witness what they fully believed would be only another unsuccessful attempt to solve the problem of navigating the air were pleasantly disappointed. The machine not only rose in the air, but moved backward and forward, up and down, at the option of the aeronaut, and although embracing in part the balloon principle, the evolutions were accomplished without waste of gas in descending or any use of ballast whatever. The aeronaut worked the central propeller of the machine with effect and rose over every obstacle to the height of 100 feet. The breeze was blowing to the eastward and the exhibitor allowed his machine to be carried with it for an eighth of a mile, and amused himself by showing his ability to ascend or descend at will. Then the propeller at the pointed end of the frame work was set in motion, and the machine shifted its course, twisting and turning in small circles. Still its general drift was to the eastward, with the wind, and the spectators freely expressed the opinion that its powers were at an end and that it could never return against the wind; but at a signal from Professor Richtel the machine was pointed back toward the exhibition grounds. The propelling wheel was started at top speed, and with accelerated motion the air ship sailed along back, at an altitude of 100 feet, until it hovered over the exhibition grounds; then amid general applause, the central propeller was set in motion, and under its influence the ship sank slowly and easily to the earth, landing within half a dozen rods from the original starting point.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
Personal Triumph
What themes does it cover?
Triumph
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Air Ship
Flying Machine
Aerial Navigation
Prof. Richtel
Hartford Experiment
What entities or persons were involved?
Prof. Richtel
Where did it happen?
Hartford, Conn
Story Details
Key Persons
Prof. Richtel
Location
Hartford, Conn
Story Details
Prof. Richtel's flying machine rises to 100 feet, moves freely, travels with the wind, maneuvers, and returns against it, landing near the start without ballast or gas waste.