THE SKY CYCLE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2552, 7 September 1893, Page 3

THE SKY CYCLE.

Mr E. T. Morrill, a dealer in bicycles in Portland, who intends to visit Chicago on a “ sky-cycle,” gives some amazing particulars of the invention in the Chicago Tribune. It is said to be invented by a brother of Joaquin Miller, “the poet of the Sierras,”' who resides in the state of Oregon. <! We have already, ‘ says Mr Merrill, “ used a heavy machine made of wood, ascended thirty feet above the ground, ridden two hundred yards, made curves, and described, a circle of one hundred feet in diametey, alights ing safely. The machine all ekuninium, we in tend to have, wtll weigh less than jjiq,vw<Js.; \ % * l£y.clv will liaxq. ft

i parachute attached to the handle-bar, | which can he opened at will, should the I machine descend too rapidly in the case of a breakage, or if the rider should stop pedalling. * * As to speed we intend to average thirty to forty miles, and with the wind favourable at least fifty miles an hour can easily be made. The machine is propelled by the ordinary motion of the feet as with a bicycle on the ground. The gearing attached operates the wings, and the steering is by the handle, which moves a fan-tail or rudder. * * -*- 11 starting, we imitate a crane or other large bird which runs along the round a short distance, using its wings at the aame time, then rising in the air. Our ‘ skycycle ’ will run on the land even with but a single wheel, and at the same time the wings are set in motion. All other machines for social navigation require either steam or electricity for motive power, and thus adding materially to the weight, require a larger and more cumbersome machine. We dispense with that, as the motive power is furnished by the rider, and our machine is consequently much lighter than any other invented. The wings and rudder are steered or changed in position by the hands of the operator, and he is at perfect liberty to look over the country above which he is travelling, simply keeping his feet in motion. When high up in the air and desirous of sloping downwards, he can cease pedalling, and turn the wings in such a manner that with the momentum already attained he gracefully comes sailing down, like a bird that stops fluttering and floats with extended wings.” This is very pretty and graceful, and altogether a superior affair to the antiquated, and of course obsolete, witch’s broomstick!