AIR PROPHECY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5177, 12 September 1927, Page 4

AIR PROPHECY.

VIEWS OF THOMAS EDISON.

ATLANTIC ’PLANE SERVICE.

Thomas A. Edison, in an interview, said:—

“I shall be very much surprised if an Atlantic air service is not in being as, a commercial proposition, for those willing to pay, within the next I 2 months. Everything, of course, depends on the energy with which men of the stamp of Lindbergh and Chamberlin are ready to tackle the problem of exploring the air so that theconditions to be encountered can be mastered.

“Only when the results of such systematic exploration are before us can the inventor and the ’plane builder set themselves the task of constructing a machine capable of making the journey with ,a load sufficiently great to make the service a paying proposition. “The value of the pioneer work cannot be over-estimated, and as the result of the flights from West to East we are much wiser to-day than evei we were:. Indeed, there is no reason why the inventor should not now produce a machine capable of withstanding the wear and tear of the West to East flight, and capable also of putting up a greater speed than any yet achieved on a long-distance flight. HIGHER SPEED NEEDED. “That is essential to success, for there are obstacles to the greater weight-carrying power necessary to store petrol and food for the passengers. Every increase in speed helps towards a solution of these problems of food for man and machine. “It should -not be impossible for inventors and navigators between them to work out a machine and a route, capable of bringing the American and European- continents within 24 hours of each other.

“At first it will of necessity be a means of transport for the wealthy, and the people who do not, mind a little- discomfort, by which I. mean such discomfort as is entailed when one endures a journey in which food must be of the simplest and lightest character.

“At first, also, the flights will have to be irregular, for the air conditions will naturally influence a time-table, and people may not like the uncertainty of being able to start. “Still, I hold there are enough people in the world endowed with the love of adventure to make them ready to resort to this means of transport, and oncei there is a demand for an Atlantic service, and the pilots make the journey frequently, they will gradually work out courses: that will eliminate risk, and ultimately changes will be made in detail construction of the machines which will bring us nearer to perfection. EAST TO WEST PROBLEM. “Even in the early days of the steamboat much had to be learned about adjusting the machine to the conditions found, and crossing the Atlantic by steamer is to-day a, vastly more comfortable experience than it was in the days of the Great Eastern. Once let an Atlantic service be started, be the scale as modest as you like, and I predict that the inventive genius of man will achieve results that will revolutionise methods of transport. “The East to West flight is a big problem, because under average conditions this may involve a longer journey and consequent increase in the bulk of the fuel to be carried, to say nothing of the greater strain on thephysical powers of the pilot and passengers. Yet the problem is not insolvable. I believe that if anyone cares to direct the inventive genius of ■man to master this problem the mastery can be achieved in time,, and as a preliminary I hope that one or otner of the men who have made- the West to East flight will essay the return journey in order that they may add to our knowledge of the conditions that have to he provided for in developing the right type of machine. “The question of speed enters fai' more into the problem of, flying from Europe than it does from the American side,'for one may have to fly against the wind, and the rate of progress through the air might, thereby be reduced by many mile-s per hour. More powerful ahd speedy engines, without any corresponding increase in the petrol consumption, is the big problem to be faced, but I refuse to believe that it is beyond the genius of the inventor to triumph over the difficulties.

“Even in my laboratory I hear whispers from the oute-r world questioning the wisdom of the men who are risking their lives in what are called air stunts. I laugh at such whispers. The world owes nearly everything in the way of invention to the fact that the supply of ‘madmen’ ready to undertake these stunts ha-s never fallen behind the demand. “Many have* given their lives to advance our knowledge, and it may be that some of those who have placed us under the greatest obligations are forgotten to-day. But if there is an existence after this life I am sure these people have their reward in seeing how they have helped the world in its flight to master conditions barring progress. “I take off my hat to men like Lindbergh and Chamberlin, but in doing so I regret that the world generally should have little thought for the men who just puss success by inches. I have been ps much impressed with the splendif' failure of the two British airmen who set out on that long flight to India as by the more spectacular success of the two Americans who have reached Europe. HEROIC FAILURES. “There is often far more merit in heroic failure than in some successes, and men who fail often make a greater contribution to science than those who succeed. Mr Carr and his companion had the misfortune to fail, but it may be that the they learned at the risk of their lives will provide the key to future success, and I hope the British public will not in their en‘thusiasm for the spectacular forget what these men have done.

“Science makes exacting calls on ihier friends, and she exacts heavy toll in lives, work, and capital. These

are the stakes that have to be put down if one would bring off the- great gamble we are all interested in, but while there are men and women of, courage ready to pay the stakes the gamble will come off nine times out of ten, and the world will be the riches for their success.

“So long, indeed, as we have daring men like Carr, Lindbergh, and Chamberlin science cannot fail in her relentless warfare against the elements that impede the movement of man through space.”